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Two gunmen fired on Bhatti’s vehicle in I-8/3 area of the capital. He was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

No surprises here. Another voice bold enough to speak out against the madness that has gripped the country has been silenced.

Bhatti, a Pakistani Christian, had been an outspoken critic of the misuse of the controversial Blasphemy Law and according to his colleagues he was facing death threats from those who just wanted him to shut up.

After former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer’s assassination at the hands of a uniformed extremist more than a month ago, Bhatti has become the second high profile victim of the violent fanaticism being demonstrated by those who want the Blasphemy Law to stay put, without any amendments whatsoever.

Why shouldn’t these madmen continue the way they have been so far – slaughtering innocent men in the name of faith, taking out highly-charged rallies condoning the murders and using mosques to announce their list of those who (according to them) are wajibul qatal.

Why shouldn’t they, indeed. Because who are they afraid of? Not the state, not the government, not the law. All three have simply capitulated in front of the psychosis that is ever so often being presented to us through TV talk shows, mosques and cyber space as the ‘true faith.’

Forget the state, the government and the law. One never knows where they stand on anything anyway. The government is weak and is more interested in its own Machiavellian survival, blackmailed into further submission and paranoia by an anarchic, double-talking group of allies and an opposition still stuck in limbo between Riyadh and Raiwind!

And the state? Well, what can be expected from a state that has a history of both creating and hosting exactly the kind of faith-driven lunacy each and every Pakistani is now engulfed in?

For years a convoluted narrative has been circulated by the state, the clergy, schools and now the electronic media: i.e. Pakistan was created in the name of Islam (read, a theocratic state). Thus, only Muslims (mainly orthodox Sunnis) have the right to rule, run and benefit from this country. ‘Minority’ religions and ‘heretical Islamic sects’, who are citizens of Pakistan are not to be trusted. They need to be isolated constitutionally, socially and culturally.

What else? Yes, parliamentary democracy too cannot be trusted. It unleashes ethnic forces, ‘corruption’ and undermines the role of the military and that of Islam in the state’s make-up. It threatens the ‘unity’ of the country; a unity based on a homogeneous understanding of Islam (mainly concocted by the state and its right-wing allies). Most of our political, economic and social ills are due to the diabolical conspiracies hatched by our many enemies.

Now the same state is struggling to control the glorified monsters that it created. These monsters have no fear of their creator. The state is hapless and stunned; only good to play silly games with its subjects. The Pakistani state is not grounded in reality. In fact it is not grounded at all. It is a fantasy that has now started to rot and look redundant. It is a 63-year-old daydream about being pious, just and strong. And yet it has been anything but.

No one trusts the Pakistani state anymore – ironically not even those who want to make Pakistan look and sound macho, ghiaratmand and devout.

Going fascist

So now I wonder, who applauded the killing of a ‘blasphemer’ this time.

Bhatti was shot not only because he was vocal about the controversies that surround and emerge from a man-made law that is considered divine, he was also shot because he was from a minority religion in this country.

By the way, men like Taseer too are a minority: an orthodox Sunni Muslim but secular and liberal. Think about it.

The state and its religious allies have for long collaborated to continue sidelining and alienating the non-Muslim and non-Sunni minorities, so much so that there are actually state-approved history text books out there which to allude them as enemies.

It seems as though Pakistan’s survival can only be justified by the number of enemies we can concoct. As if there is no honour in being a country that does not have or cannot make any enemies. The whole ‘jihad’ industry that we have constructed, the fatwah factories and an army of twisted apologists, their performance and credibility is measured by the number of ‘enemies’ they can either kill or pinpoint.

The bad news is that such beliefs are symptomatic of a society that has started to respond enthusiastically to the major symptoms of fascist thought.

Symptoms such as a xenophobic exhibition of nationalism, a disdain for the recognition of human rights, identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause, supremacy of the military, obsession with national security, the intertwining of religion and government, disdain for intellectuals and the arts, and an obsession with crime and punishment.

We do not debate. We only react and then huddle up behind our flimsy and lopsided historical and national narratives about ‘Pakistaniat’. We manifest our destiny as conquering Muslims, cursing the world for our ills, looking out for ‘infidels’ and ‘heretics’ among us, or for scapegoats in the shape of media-constructed punching bags.

We are going nowhere. We are only busy constructing walls around ourselves. Societies that do this have lost their will to keep up with and positively compete with the world at large. It begins to isolate itself, cut-off from the outside world and only allowing itself to be compared to its own mediocrities.

So then, the whole world is against us, right? But I am convinced once we have shut ourselves up from this cruel, scheming world, we will then turn on each another (actually, we already have).

The goras have to go, then the religious minorities, the Shias, the liberals, the Sindhis and the Baloch and the Pukhtuns, the Deobandies and the Wahabis, the Barelvies will then begin cleansing ‘bad Muslims’ from among themselves. Qadris vs. the Chishtis vs. the Naqshbandis, and so on and so forth.

Such madness can only vanish when it eats itself. Unfortunately, by then very few will be left to celebrate its end.

Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and Dawn.com.

The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.

Comments (478) Closed

Mubarak ho Pakistan! You have killed yet another man who wanted equality and end religious bigotry! You have truly saved your deen and your imaan now! Mubarak ho you shameful bigots!

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Anjum Arshi

Mar 02, 2011 11:47am

In any civilized nation or society, one could trust that the system would hunt down the murderers and bring them to task. Not so in Pakistan. In this country, the government (responsible for providing security to the citizens), the opposition, the street-based political parties, and the bloggers, all would condemn the act and curse the invisible monster that is responsible for the killing. We do not, and will not, know who killed Mr. Bhatti, a fine man and a great politician; indeed one of the few sane voices in his party. It seems we do not care in whose hands was the gun that killed Mr. Bhatti. Yesterday, dozens of Pakistanis were murdered, among them a fine human rights activist of Balochistan, who was shot dead in Khuzdar. He was a poor, unknown silent worker. His name was Naeem Sabir Baloch. Let's mourn these deaths. Let's blame and curse the intolerance in our society, caused by the religious bigots. Let's not worry about the murderers and how they got away, and the fact that they will never be apprehended.

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Amit

Mar 04, 2011 09:36pm

Nadeem deserves full support and his articles should be widely translated in Urdu and regional languages in Pakistan. Pakistani society needs an infusion of liberal ideals.

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rksingh2002

Mar 06, 2011 09:51am

Any Idea why Pakistan is in such a pitiable state?
It is purely due to intolerence. The day Hindus and Christians are taken care of (i mean cared for), you will see change in pakistan for the better. The speed at which India is forging ahead, Pakistan will never be even in decent distance to India- econimically or otherwise. Please spread tolerence.

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NFP Rocks

Mar 02, 2011 11:51am

Sad day for everyone. Just wanted to share a video of Shahbaz Bhatti's interview for people who haven't seen it...The man shows such courage and bravery in the face of mortal danger...
I salute the voice of freedom in Pakistan...may it live forever.
http://bit.ly/esZuE2

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Pendoo

Mar 04, 2011 09:30pm

A government must not have any business in people's beliefs. Politics and religion is always a deadly combination. For God's sake (God who created all faiths and their followers) stop to feign mourning and repeal laws that give excuse to these terrorists. Strike the Blasphemy Law out of your constitution. God Almighty will protect the honor of Prophet (pbuh).

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Moin Khan

Mar 02, 2011 11:53am

@ ShivKumar
Why only in the name of Islam Pakistanis have to raise their voice? Why can't they raise their voice in the name of Justice, equality, Right to education, Freedom of expression, liberty et al......or it's that you are afraid the Islamic Spill over from Pakistan would hurt India? or You think this spill over can only be contained if you can tell Pakistanis to raise voice for Islam, as they will not for any other cause?
Nonetheless, you are correct...... words such as Justice, Equality, Freedom etc etc are non-existent in Pakistani dictionary.....you are correct you need to invoke Islam at every instance to make Pakistani understand the most trivial things!

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Anwar-ud-din

Mar 02, 2011 12:30pm

No one, including Muslims are safe today in Pakistan. It just needs a group of people claim that someone said something blasphemous and he can be done away with, if not by law, by raging mobs. I really pity where this nation came to when a murderer is hailed as a hero. Does the Prophet, SAW advocate taking human life just on the basis of what they said? I heard a story, where he didn't say a thing when a woman hurled abuses on him and this is precisely the reason why at lease some people associate Islam with peace (even though overwhelming number of modern day incidents are to the contrary). Pakistan is going in the path of self destructing itself.

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Moin Khan

Mar 02, 2011 11:58am

Ok, Military takes over then what?
What did Musharaf gave Pakistan? Slavery of US and Tehreek-e-Taliban!
What will military do when it takes over? Kill all the Mullahs? Or Make Pakistan a prosperous Secular State or a Theocracy such as Saudi Arabia (less Oil, now imagine that)!

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madhu

Mar 02, 2011 10:16am

Shame on you whole of Pakistan!. You have not learnt by the punishment of floods and earthquakes.

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mehmoona

Mar 02, 2011 10:27am

CJP too has an agenda or perhaps he is not as impartial as he would have us believe

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jan

Mar 02, 2011 10:07am

what is wrong with you guys in pakistan....going fascist?

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suren singh sahni

Mar 02, 2011 10:10am

Extremists in Pakistan are intolerant,insane and ignorant.Another voice of tolerance has been butchered.

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Vikram

Mar 02, 2011 10:33am

Dear Aftab,
You are right Muslims are treated far better in Non Muslim majority countries, the way Minorities being treated in Pakistan. Infact this is common thinking that where ever Muslims are in majority there is problem, Reasons is lack of Scientific education, religious education is good but Sceintific education is must for one to survive. My fore fathers came to India from Pakistan in 1947, & when I tell locals that my grand parents were in pakistan before 1947, surprisingly they have no reaction, simply says so what, now you are in India & an Indian.

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Uza Syed

Mar 02, 2011 10:32am

Pakistan is being destroyed, it's undersiege ------- its military must intervene now. Remember your oath of service, come and protect Pakistan, its existence is threatened, it's under attack.

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Adnaan, India

Mar 02, 2011 10:10am

shame on you, shame on you murderers. people who keep quiet are as much responsible.

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tehmina ashraf

Mar 02, 2011 11:58am

i read this news on a social networking website... where i was amazed to see reaction and comments of ppl ... i admit tat wt we lost 2day and lost in past is not replaceable.. bt we should come together and find a way to stop it.... we should not create Christian , Muslim , Hindu, partitions.... THIS should not divied us.. FIND SOLUTION OR WE WILL KEEP LOOSING OUR PRECIOUS PPL.....

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addy

Mar 02, 2011 12:00pm

junid......raymond davis is a creation of ur own establishment which give ppl like that visas and take money from americans.....and locals like u like believe in the consp. theorys.......NFP....has is a revolutionary....first he can see whats happnin...second he is tellling all of u.....but u guys are bliend by all the propoganda fed to you guys by ur succesive govt.....i hope there is some hope left for pakistan......personally i dont see any thoe......its amazing that not even a single voice is coming for the support of minoritys in pakistan.....everyone seems to be ok with it cause its not them....guess what....like NFP says.....one by one ......turn for all of u will come........when minoritys finish.....they ll find ways to kil each other.........and it will be very sad.........

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Athar

Mar 02, 2011 12:00pm

Maybe its about time we had some real liberal extremists after all ...

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Fawad

Mar 02, 2011 12:26pm

Excellent piece of thought paracha sahib unfortunately the people who counted the most i.e. the khaki will never listen to these sane words and advices. Your writing is just like a cry in wilderness

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ashok sai

Mar 04, 2011 08:16am

My condolence to late Mr.Shabaz family.
Dear Pakistanis,
Can I ask you a question, What if your kid or spouse or sibling commits blasphemy?
Will you kill them ? Will you take them to the police station ? or You send them out of the house ? Wont you advice them and correct them by speaking to them ?
Then, if others commits blasphemy you will take action, what logic is this ?
Love is God, God is Love. If you agree with my opinion, please pass it on to Urdu reading people and illiterate.

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Fersos

Mar 04, 2011 12:15pm

Without the backing of citizens in the seat of Power a small minority like the Taliban cannot roam freely and impose their view points. These suicide bombers and gunmen can never terrorize a nation against the will of the common people, they are only foot soldiers for the masterminds who may well be privileged members of society. The Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and Military Establishment all have a lot of Jihadi sympathizers, causing a breakdown in the rule of Law. Hate speeches and Jihadi literature are catalysts for violence, ban them.

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Aniket

Mar 04, 2011 12:16pm

Dear Nadeem,
Tonight, as like on the night of Salman Taseers's shahadat, I will pray for your safety. I wish there was something else I could do.

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Some Sense

Mar 02, 2011 09:24am

These killers of Bhatti's, Taseer's, Benazir's, etc., are evil persons who are out to destroy God's creations, ironically, in His name! I am surprised that that the otherwise suo-motu trigger-happy CJP has been maintaining a stoic silence all these days!

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Adeel

Mar 02, 2011 12:00pm

Well said Sana. Spot on

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Aftab, India

Mar 02, 2011 09:24am

Pakistan is going on its death path. They have brought so much shame to the name of Islam.
If this is Islam and if that is how Pakistan treats its minorities, then let me tell to every Pakistani that Muslims are far far better treated in non Muslims countries.
I am feeling shame that we are somehow associated with evil people of Pakistan.

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Chatni Achar

Mar 02, 2011 09:29am

"who are they afraid of? Not the state, not the government, not the law."
There is no reason to consider these institutions in their current framework as impartial.

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Uza Syed

Mar 02, 2011 09:31am

"No surprises here."! ------- damn right. All of us, who believe in 'reason' and 'tolerance' and 'civilized discourse', are "blasphemers" and we must all be liquidated. Pakistan must be cleansed of all reason, so that barbarians may go out and destroy it as they please.

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Sanjay

Mar 02, 2011 12:35pm

Wow! Amazing that in todays day and age killing in the name of God and religion is deemed aceptable by some. I suggest you look over to your neighbours in the west to see what happens when God and Guns become the doctrine of a state. The result is unfortunately a failed state.

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Sheerazuddin

Mar 02, 2011 09:42am

Nothing more to say.

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Zaheer Durrani

Mar 02, 2011 12:38pm

High time that Sharia law be fully applied in Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Islamic Sharia guarantees protection to the life and property of minorities. We have waisted 63 years, many lives have been lost and many more innocent will die. British law is for the English ,our law is from Allah. Allah o Akbar!

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Syed Ali Raza Shah

Mar 02, 2011 12:44pm

Forget Raymond Davis! The Federal Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti was a Pakistani citizen killed in the most cruel manner at the hands of people, cruelest of their kind! He was a member of our law-making instance. He was depiction of the authority delegated by people to the state to run its affairs in a democratic fashion. The Federal Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhattiwas the faceof Pakistan. These murderers have not only killed him, they have killed our entire nation. The bleeding will not stop and neither the tears!

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observer

Mar 04, 2011 10:23pm

Dear brothers and sisters of Pakistan,
How long will you all keep silent with all this happening around you? Take note of the changes your Arab brothers are able to make just by showing unity and taking to the streets, Completely non violent. There lies the path you need to consider soon. In the present state, the country is on a slippery slope to nowhere.

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Zahid Anwar

Mar 02, 2011 12:01pm

Army can help destroy the external enemy. Here the enemy is from within.

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addy

Mar 02, 2011 12:04pm

im sorry to say uza....but its the military which is behind making such expremist groups....so i dont think if it comes anything will change......even thoe u think the military should intervine......the fact is nothing happens in pakistan without the militarys concent........either military does not have guts to fight this....or then its causing this itself..........there is no hope for this country

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Curtis LeMay

Mar 02, 2011 12:19pm

What to do? Two parts.
One, close down the Madrassas. Two, change Pakistan's Constitution by removing Islam as the state religion and have no state religion at all.

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Aftab, India

Mar 02, 2011 11:03am

@Sahira
Even fights happens between brothers..!! whatever happens in India cannot be compared with situations in Pakistan. India is a secular country and minorities have far better lifes. There is no laws like blasphemy in India neither there is any possibility to have it. But in Pakistan, such rule are created for control minorities.
Also this poor fellow was only non Muslim in your political system and that one is also killed cold bloodily.
You guys constantly lives with India phobia and your military, politicians and your media know how to cash it and they are doing it for last 60 years.
Look at Pakistan where you are and what you guys are know for? Terrorism, Military take overs and hostilities towards India.
Where as India is marching ahead in every domain. In next few years Pakistan will come out to be sole danger to the peace of this World and that days doesn't seems to be far now.

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Aniket

Mar 02, 2011 12:20pm

My heart sank at reading this news. I have been reading Dawn for a year now because I wanted to understand Pakistan. Knowing about/ understanding something/ someone takes you closer to them. And it's that much harder to then see them disintegrate.
I'm now afraid to make friends with any more Pakistani liberals. I'm afraid to read and understand and exchange mails with NFP, Kamran Shafi etc. Who knows, some day my heart be caused to sink even more...

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A pakistani,UK

Mar 02, 2011 12:53pm

It is not about Davis, it is about killing of a Cabinet Member. It's about our failure in all walks of life.
And for your knowledge, we are the one who gave access to Davis and many like him.
Don't blame others for own wrong doings.
May God give you wisdom, to say WRONG TO WRONG AND RIGHT TO RIGHT

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M H Khan

Mar 02, 2011 12:45pm

It is an ill wind it blows no one no good. Gentlemen we created a monster call religious extremism. It now beyond any one

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Moin Khan

Mar 02, 2011 12:30pm

Law of Jungle prevails. Nothing is safe.
There is a street in Bahadurabad Karachi called Sirajuddaula Road here almost every house has been robbed twice mine thrice. The residents live in state of frightness as if this is the last day. The police station concerned are either silent spectators or active partners. complains doesnt work. The only way to live is everyone should be allowed to carry a gun. No less no more. If you dont then see the fate.

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Tyrone

Mar 02, 2011 12:55pm

Why doesnt the Government take a stand? They betrayed Salman Taseer and Sherry Rehman. They should ban all these fanatic parties completely. Pakistan was made not to be influenced by religion. It is high time that the Government wakes up and says enough is enough or else Pakistan will surely collapse. Remember the white portioni of the flag represents the minorities ................

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Shoaib, Mumbai, India

Mar 02, 2011 12:22pm

I couldnt agree more brother.
Thank God we are not in pakistan, but here in India.
Feel so proud and lucky to be an Indian.

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Noble Lucifer

Mar 02, 2011 12:21pm

Bro! you reap what you sow.

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Kavitha Shetty, Mumbai

Mar 02, 2011 12:28pm

Islam is struggling to come to terms with modern science and 21st century muslims are caught in the crossfire, trying to reconcile 6th century thinking with modern thought. What islam requires is a reform movement. All other religions underwent massive reforms. Islam is the one that resists. This assassination is also a symbol of the obduracy of zealots who refuse to reconcile with something they cannot defeat.

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Irfan Michael Roy

Mar 02, 2011 12:57pm

It is indeed a sad day for Pakistan. I admire the courage of Dawn and especially Mr Paracha courage in writing such and article at a time when the nation even the Government is afraid of extremists and give only lip services to the protection of minorities. But what percentage of the pakistani population read Dawn. I wish there were more voices like the Dawn.
I am a Pakistani Christian and am proud of the white part of the flag, because it represents me. I have large number of Muslim friends. Through these killings extremists are giving the message that they want to remove the white part of the flag. Islam is a religion of peace and promotes brotherhood. If the silent majority of Pakistan do not stand upto the distorted version of Islam which extremist are demonstrating every day on the streets of Pakistan, we will not only destroy the white part of the flag but will also shred the green part

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GKrishnan

Mar 02, 2011 12:52pm

I was an avid reader of mystery and spy fiction, but stopped past couple of years, because what comes out of Pakistan beats any such. After more than three years, who killed a lady who was the former PM of the country, is still anybody's guess. After the assassination of Salman Taseer, there was no public prosecutor coming forward to take up the case in court, for fear of his life !! What does it speak of law and order ?
What Winston Churchill said of Russia in 1939 : "I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest." seem pertinent in another context today. Substitute the word "Pakistan" for Russia and you may have some answers. All Indians wish Pakis well, not just because of the shared history.

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Shafi

Mar 02, 2011 12:52pm

Unfortunately Pakistan is doomed. There is no unity (though out motto is UNITY FAITH AND DISCIPLINE) faith or discipline in this country of the pure. You are right we are at each others heads. There is no pride in being a Pakistani the world over. The bigoted religious zealots have destroyed whatever Jinnah stood for. THESE MURDERERS WOULD HAVE KILLED HIM AS WELL TO GET THERE WAY.

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Syed Ali RazaShah

Mar 02, 2011 12:51pm

You are perfectly right!

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Faryal

Mar 02, 2011 12:24pm

I'm ashamed today to call myself a Pakistani!
When will the cowardly Prime Minster, President and Government stop appeasing these lunatics and stop quaking in fear, its time to take on the lunatics...NOW!
I just hope, we won't be reading the sad news of another brave politican's death.. WAKE UP PAKISTANIS!

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moonbeam09

Mar 02, 2011 12:22pm

well said, Aftab.
But I don't think any Pakistani will agree with you. Even Nadeem does not see this.
Denial is their middle name.
Call it Hateistan.

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klAntony

Mar 04, 2011 08:56am

Dear Paracha!
I read the artical again and was astonished by the frankness that goes in to your thinking.In India I too am a minority.But trust me we guys here take freedom for granted.Lets be honest Pakistan is trying to play "catch up" with India, we are streets ahead in everything you can imagin (except terrorism).You take false pride in that stupid nuclear weapons and pretend to be tha gardian of Islam.Please give me one good reason why you should not be labelled the "Epicenter of terror". God help you guys !!!

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Ali

Mar 02, 2011 10:01am

Only if our dear president, prime minister and all others get time off from making illeagal money day n night, they can concentrate on such issues. But they r busy. try to understand. Afterall we all supposedly elected them n gave them this opportunity. Why complain now?

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Rajesh

Mar 02, 2011 11:41am

you have the drones and the davis and the external influences because masses are not accommodative and culturally open. being culturally open doesn't mean being weak and bending on the knees. it calls for more courage and maturity. a faith or religion is weak if minorities or 'non-believers' are forced to follow it. it only shows that there is not much argumentative force available.

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Sarvesh

Mar 04, 2011 12:08pm

NFP may your tribe swell.
The growing menace of intolerance across the globe, needs such voices of sanity.
Any communication medium that lends space to such voices deserves the loudest applause, for that is the only way such voices can be heard above the pernicious din drummed up by the merchants of hatred.
Kudos the Dawn and kudos NFP!

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Asim Saeed

Mar 02, 2011 11:33am

Truly depicts a way toward a 'Failed State.'

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umar

Mar 02, 2011 01:24pm

you cant close madrassas. try reforming them instead. they provide free education and living space for thousands all over the country

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shahjee

Mar 02, 2011 11:31am

it is nothing to do with Islam. Islam is a religion of peace, prosperity and tolerance. Those are the illiterate people who interpret religion in a way to kill innocent people. . Now my question is where are these Humen Right activists, where is civil society, why they are scilient, where is Asma Jahangir, where are the other HR activists who where very activie during the rule of Pervez Musharaf...
Friend be brave like Salman Taseeer and Shahbaz Bhattee.

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Daniel

Mar 02, 2011 10:01am

I truly wish someone could bring forward a revolution in Pakistan, sadly though if that indeed did happene it would probably go from bad to worse considering most of the population is illiterate and brain washed with extremist ideologies and hate. We are looking at the next Afghanistan.............or maybe even worse.

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Seema

Mar 02, 2011 10:32am

sad, sad , sad.

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yawar

Mar 02, 2011 11:17am

Bhai jaan, raymond davis killed people for money and his spy agency. These guys are killing people in the fine name of God and Islam. get a grip. And as NFP rightly says, stop creating walls around yourself!

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Sam,UK

Mar 02, 2011 11:15am

A very sad day for Pakistan. All political parties condemned the killing EXCEPT Religious Parties. Where are you Mullas,?. Why don't you condemn this act? IS this the true face of Islam and you are supporting it.?
Very Disappointed by religious pundits.

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Jayaprakash, India

Mar 02, 2011 11:15am

Unless the tolerent liberal majority of pakistan express themselves openly against these mad creatures, these problems will not end in pakistan. Only solution is fight injustice with strong reaction from people.
Are the so called silent majority have the guts to hold a courtry wide protests against such heinous crimes? You can imagine the weak pak govt hiding behind a smoke screen afraid of coming openly with strong measures, politicians are interested only in their welfare.

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Goga Nalaik

Mar 04, 2011 11:12am

Dear Nadeem,
I started my day with your blog and was in tears.
Thank you for this Great article and your Great analysis.
I salute your courage and persistence. You are our hope.
I would like to thank all our Indian friends for their encouraging messages.
I wanted to write a detailed reaction today but couldn

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SP, Brooklyn

Mar 02, 2011 11:11am

Every state has laws to protect its basic ideologies; the world has anti-sementic laws. Why is that we are all ok with those, but against the law that protects the basic ideology of the "Islamic" Republic of Pakistan.
Remember, it is an Islamic Republic (avoiding the "Was Pakistan made for Islam" argument) and hence the laws to protect the ideology and the beliefs / sentiments of the majority of its population.
Sure, the law may not be implemented properly but its the same for all laws in Pakistan, from Traffic Signals to the Constitution. So quit blaming the extremists for everything.

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Rajesh

Mar 02, 2011 11:45am

plz visit India to get a first hand view.

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Begum Mehrunissa Bano

Mar 02, 2011 11:45am

History is littered with empires and all powerfull biting the dust and getting ruined. Yet we (whichever religion we belong to) all dare to believe the lullaby that my religion and reasoning alone is the correct one.

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Aftab, India

Mar 02, 2011 11:14am

I believe, its military is equally responsible for this sorry state of Pakistan. They never let the governance to develop and mature. Now everyone is so helpless that they do not even know hoe to manage them self and make a functional government. So end of the the day Military is King and they will continue to rule indefinitely.

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hariharan

Mar 02, 2011 11:07am

If the so called 'Mature secular Pakistanis' stay commenting on news reports and keep away from streets....soon the radical elements will take over and ban facebook and other sites,censor news,jail authors like NFP,Sana Saleem and unleash fury on others...
I feel that Pakistanis should all rise up against this gory murder and prevent any religious sentiments to come against this and show that justice will be served to all irrespective of religion,ethnicity,region,language

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Junaid

Mar 02, 2011 11:06am

NFP is the most narrow minded writer around following a single theme in all his columns!
You have read one... means u have him read all.
Why do we forget people like Raymond Davis who also have potential to do activities like these!

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Naushad

Mar 02, 2011 09:56am

Salute NFP. Sticking it out with reason and gutts in a country gone mad.

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Hariharan S

Mar 02, 2011 11:04am

Thanks Aftab
Atleast u can understand that d Muslims in India are treated well inspite of few incidences like Godhra,babri etc....The 'JIHADI' elements are not only dividing India into a communal battlefield...they're also making Pakistan a hell........

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saad

Mar 02, 2011 11:06am

there is actually nothing left to say! now it's up to the people of pakistan to do something about this, because our government can't and won't do anything!
RIP Mr Bhatti

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Sana

Mar 02, 2011 11:03am

welldone pakistan. God feels safer now.

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Shivkumar

Mar 02, 2011 11:04am

Wake up, Pakistanis Wake Up. Else these hydra headed monsters will take the country down the drain, it is not already there. I am confident that even today majority of Pakistanis are sane reasonable people but now too scared to stand up for justice. If you people will keep quiet Pakistan will become still more dangerous a place to live in. In the name of Islam the Pakistanis need to raise their voice as these rogues are spoiling the fair name of Islam.
Wake up Pakistanis Up.

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Azam Khan

Mar 04, 2011 08:45pm

If you take poll any day of the week , Zardari's popularity is less than 15-20%.What is he afraid of ? He has the opportunity to take a stand against the black law, push the legislation through the parliament.He might resurrect himself as an 'enlightened' leader.

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Raghavan

Mar 02, 2011 02:59pm

Aftab, Shoaib ......100% right. Muslims In India are safer to the extent tha Shabna Azmi said once that India is the safest place for muslims in the whole world.....being a Hindu ...am proud of muslims like you in India

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Shivkumar

Mar 02, 2011 10:59am

Wake up, Pakistanis Wake Up. Else these hydra headed monsters will take the country down the drain. I am confident that even today majority of Pakistanis are sane reasonable people but now too scared to stand up for justice. If you people will keep quiet Pakistan will become still more dangerous a place to live in. In the name of Islam the Pakistanis need to raise their voice as they spoiling the fair name of Islam.
Wake up Pakistanis Up.

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Raj

Mar 02, 2011 10:58am

You reap what you sow

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Saleh

Mar 02, 2011 10:57am

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.

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Ozman

Mar 02, 2011 09:56am

Pakistan is Doomed................. what a sad reality that Pakistan, a country which was founded for people who didn't want to be subjected to discrimination and remain a minority have now infact become the same people they seeked freedom from. I see a very dark future for this country with its corrupt politicians and the general public's mentality which has decayed. Religion and Government have NO PLACE TOGETHER !!!!! religion is a personal preference. Wake up people The whole world is moving forward, Pakistan seems like its one of the few countries which is moving backwards into the stone age. God Help Us

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Farooq

Mar 02, 2011 10:56am

Now it is time that we should start speaking about it.
What if they kill us... they are going to do it anyway.... either this way or that way. The windows of so called Kafir or Wajobulqatal is soo big that they can fit into it anyone they feel like.
What are we then scared of?

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Moin Khan

Mar 02, 2011 11:46am

@ Junaid
What does Raymond Davis has to do with this Killing?
Ohhhhh let me guess.....this is a CIA ploy, correct? :)
This what NFP has been talking about since time eternity, no doubt Pakistani society is rotting because of such brainwashing and indoctrination. And, today Pakistan reaps the fruits it sow!!
Sad :(

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Vidyut

Mar 02, 2011 11:46am

This murder forces me to look at some of my assumptions. Assumptions about Pakistan, that we could hold them to blame, that they support terrorists, that they are fundamentalists, etc. Today, somehow I don't have the energy for all this trying to understand. Pakistan has kind of become like a wildlife sanctuary in my head. Tigers kill deer, leopards kill deer, etc, Jackals find great joy tearing creatures apart as a pack.... Deer are the potatoes of forest life. It is only an ecosystem. Sure, the deer is beautiful and its agonizing to watch it die, but at the end of the day, it is food. No more, no less. No point mourning what is fodder in any case. I can't blame the tiger even if he is a man eater. Hate is a very distant thing. I think it is time for me to keep my ideas and expectations and morals to myself and simply look at this as something from Animal Planet.

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aaanjana

Mar 02, 2011 09:50am

Ur articles are very thought provoking and the outrage is understandable,but u shud use milder language when writing on such issues considered so sensitive in Pakistan.

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Rafeeq

Mar 02, 2011 09:52am

Can anyone point me to the article written by NFP on Raymond Davis issue?

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Wazir K

Mar 04, 2011 08:34pm

Chattering class sitting in the guest room,sipping tea in the finest china, gossiping but have no guts to become vocal in the public. So called secular parties like PPP, NAP,MQM are going with the flow, they will not challenge black law of blasphemy. Muslim League (N) & Therik-e-Insaf can't offend mullahs. Who is going to bell the cat?

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h harris

Mar 04, 2011 08:00pm

Bhatti was a targetted man, clearly threats were made against him. Where was his security detail that govt had provided them? How could gunmen come up to him, fire so many shots and no security response or counterfire by body guards who were suppose to protect him? How the gunmen were allowed to escape so easily? Everything smells fishy. Was the govt or police complicit in this murder? We will never get the real answer in Pakistan.

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ajith

Mar 04, 2011 07:42pm

Minorities would gradually leave pakistan for good. they will have no other choice in the years to come. Another worse thing that can happen is all the minorities forming some kind of a small fighting unit and waging a guerilla war.

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Shubani

Mar 02, 2011 10:48am

Yes that is how pakistan treats its minorities. Its pure hypocricy thats all. They have no rights for non muslims. Non muslims are treated worst than dirt. You have perfect examples last 2 months and now today. Shame on them. God must take action against these murderes.

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Farooq

Mar 02, 2011 10:50am

These killers are in fact defaming the holy name of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
This is my faith that all such killers including Qadri who killed Salman Taseer will go upside down into hell and there will be no shafaat from holy Prophet (SAW).
Our mullahs are responsible for this.
Look at ourselves, what have we become. My God, we are terrorists because this is what we have produced in the last 30 years.... terrorism if our industry.

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Hussain

Mar 02, 2011 10:46am

shame on all religious bigots

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babu

Mar 02, 2011 01:16pm

what you sow you shall reap , the roots of radical Islam is well entrenched in Pakistan, mainly non secular education in madrassahs/schools
this act will further stifle liberal and secular Pakistanis,
the military has to move in now period or else the minorities and liberal will have to think of mass exodus.
i am beginning to worry about the security of nuclear weapons

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Rafa

Mar 02, 2011 10:42am

Failed state

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Sulaimaan

Mar 02, 2011 12:50pm

Well, so quick to jump to conclusions.Religious extremists are to blame????????Has anyone involved been arrested yet??????No, then how do we jump to such conclusions.Now dont tell me that leaflets of an 'extemist group' around the scene give evidence.Why would anyone drop leaflets around a killing scene.Doesnt that sound a try to give away???????Why?????
Had Raymond Davis not been arrested that fateful day, who would have been blamed for those murders???????The answer is obvious, certainly not CIA then.............. religious extremists!!!!!!!!!!!!Take a breath and use your God given gift of common sense and if you do not have them, then dont write stupid articles.

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PP

Mar 02, 2011 10:41am

I am not a muslim but read below some words about muslims in India from the muslims in India. Yes there are problems but nobody is treated like this as in your country & everybody saw how everybody was coming in streets when there was a thought of amending this law. Now after this murder i hope you understand why minorities are looking for amendment???

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mehmoona

Mar 02, 2011 10:41am

dont feel ashamed that you are associated with the evil people of pakistan
,they are evil people everywhere including India you have the babri masjid and its aftermath you have the samjhota express and you also have the BJP..
but the good thing is that you have better governance however the downside is that as a minority you are constantly judged by what your ancesteral heritage/religion does...hence in todays age it will be constant apologies

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mehmoona

Mar 02, 2011 10:31am

fascism is a euphemism for where we as a society are going

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Tarique

Mar 02, 2011 10:15am

Bravo Jihadis
You are doing so much in the cause of Islam, shame on you

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Abed Ali

Mar 02, 2011 10:38am

This is all due to the army and ISI. yesterday's World bank articles proves that even if one fifth of the army budget went towards education our beloved country would not have even a single uneducated child who could be swayed by the fundamentalists.

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Syed Ali Raza Shah

Mar 02, 2011 10:38am

It is due to courageous people like Late Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, that we Pakistanis have every reason to be proud of what is left of civil society in Pakistan. It is due to these cruel murderous people who killed the late minister, that we have every reason to feel ashamed of the hights of inhuman behaviour we have acquired, all in the name of Islam! I am ashamed of being member of the Muslim majority of Pakistan, because we have failed to provide the due protection to our minorities in the civil society.

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R S JOHAR

Mar 04, 2011 06:37pm

NFP, most of your write-ups touch the right chords but this one is so emotional that even the worst critics of Pakistan from across the border will support the people of Pakistan who are suffering so much due to reasons mentioned in the article. Though we cannot do much from here but our moral support shall always remain with you all to fight this menace of fanatacism and peace returns to Pakistan soon.

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Sahira

Mar 02, 2011 09:44am

RIP to the minister
@ Aftab
Surely extremism is a problem here but first look at your own country where Muslims are specifically targeted. Noone is condoning the murder. It's horrifying. Don't generalize the whole nation. Noone is evil here. Rest assured. If something happens in India that will it be justified to declare all Indians evil?

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vasan

Mar 02, 2011 10:38am

No one is accusing all the pakistanis for such murders. But it is the pathetic investigations and collusion of the state organs with the religious bigots and killers, others are fed up with. The results of the investigations of the terrorist attacks in Pakistan are nothing to be proud of. Starting from the murder of Liaquat ali khan till the minorities minister's killing, nothing was ever resolved in Pakistan. In INdia, Mahatma Gandhi's murderer was hanged. Rajiv gandhi's murderers were hounded out resulting in their suicide and the destruction of LTTE by Srilanka with due help from India.

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Naushad

Mar 02, 2011 10:18am

Aha, here comes the ubiqutious apologist. Your sarcasm doesn't change the fact that this society is going to hell.

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jamaljalalani

Mar 02, 2011 10:23am

we dont want to live in pakistan

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mehmoona

Mar 02, 2011 10:24am

even the word shame seems to have lost its significance these inhuman acts are becoming a part of everyday life !
a tragedy that we have mutated into a society without consequence

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BOBBY NEW YORK

Mar 02, 2011 10:26am

Welcome to the New Afganistan of the future.
People of pakistan Wake up or else you will be swallowed
by these people.
Bye the way How was Bhati Killed I presume it was by two people
on a Bike, Now if Bhati had gut Like Davis and Killed these two
person he would also be Branded as a CIA
It will not be long where the meaning of Pakisatn which as you all know means
the Land of Pure will be used as a PUN (Joke)

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kumar

Mar 07, 2011 09:57pm

Why muslim brothers are not responding to this article? i can see only Indians or other foreign nationals are reading this article not pakistani's?

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Storm trooper

Mar 02, 2011 10:35am

You are a great thinker. Keep thinking and writing. Maybe one day the right person will read you verses and get inspired causing a revolution. Every word drips truth and makes a spark.

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Ali

Mar 02, 2011 10:36am

All those saying shame on "YOU". Please be reminded that "YOU" is all of us. All the Pakistanis. So shame on "US" all. Its easy to sit in your comfortable seat and just write blogs and shift the blame onto nobody. We are all collectively responsible for this mess so we all need to wake up, get up and do something. Its about time

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Sunil

Mar 02, 2011 10:34am

"Muslims are specially targeted."
Really? and who told you this?

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Disgusted Beyond Belief

Mar 02, 2011 10:26am

I am so disgusted beyond belief to hear what just happened. This is incredibly unbelievable. But pay no mind to this, Pakistan, go back to your tafseers and what not and just act like nothing happened. Oh dont forget to shower the killers with rose petals. Such a sorry state.

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Parachafan

Mar 02, 2011 11:36am

i understand your attack on Indians! yes i agree that not all in ur country is evil(Taseer and Bhatti are prime examples of people who were brave and stood up against the fascist ideology).. but look at what happened to the killer of taseer in Public!
yes muslims have been targetted in India, but so have been hindus in India and the christians and sikhs and the poor! but except a few horrible cases it has nothing to do with religion! its not the religious majority, its the darwinist forces which kill the not so fortunate!! Killing is killing, there is no cause and effect relationship!
most Indians(lets say Hindus, btw i am a Brahmin if that adds to the grandeur of hatred) would sacrifice everything before letting a murderer like modi(another hindu) to become our prime minister! the last election is a prime example with the huge defeat of the bjp!
my pakistani frnds have to figure this out:
1 we separated 63 years ago.. only half of muslims migrated to pakistan and the remaining stayed! even with all the atrocities you mite claim (and not taking an Indian muslim's(AFTAB) word for it, or our ex president or shahrukh khan or salman khan or nusli wadias--connected to the Qaid e azam or azim premji etc etc etc) that have fallen on your religious brethren in India, the Indians more or less learned to live together again!! Why cant you? werent we the same ppl not so long back? what changed?
2. there is a secular constituion in India and it works! corruption is still far better than accepting killing in the name of religion.. i cannot imagine that someone would be showered with petals for killing by the so called learned masses-lawyers etc!!
3. Kashmir and other problems: why cant we just move on! what is it that we want to stand eye to eye with another country...this machoism wouldnt lead you too far! focus on your economy, education etc etc! you may be a liberal but how about the guy next doors--or is he not me and thus not my responsibility!
and i am saddened by the whole thing...i really want Pakistan to flourish! You are us and we are you! so what if we decided to separate! its just sad!

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rehmat

Mar 05, 2011 01:47am

Well said.

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J.R. Norway

Mar 04, 2011 11:24pm

Heard about this terrible murder of Bhatti, and I say straight out:
This gives a bad signal to the world! But I see with pleasure that many in your country,
condemned this. It bodes well for the future!
Remember: The real martyrs risk their lives for a good cause,
but false martyrs kill themselves and others intentionally!
It's a big difference in this!

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sharma

Mar 04, 2011 10:57am

Good luck on your approach. It will go a long way to take you where you want to be.

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Steven

Mar 05, 2011 01:58am

Those in Pakistan who want to be free should rise up like your neighbors and replace all the chaos with democracy.

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Ahmed

Mar 04, 2011 10:52am

This society is becoming more and more extreme. By more and more I mean that the sheer number of crazies is increasing by the day. You know Obama said about rural Penn. people that he took a lot of flak for and that was, " .... people will cling to guns and religion". He was trying to say that limited opportunities, bleak future etc etc can have people looking for a refuge or something that is always bigger than their bad situation. Now of course that caused great uproar since people can be religious for many other reasons and not just because of their horrible situation, but there is no denying that people do find religion as a great comfort in tough times; the problem comes when religion is combiened with frustration, anger, injustice, all lumped with politics. Getting rid of the injustices is a long term goal, the short term is admitting to something that is really wrong in our society (apart from other things) and that is religious fanaticism; we can blame America, India, Isreal all we want, but those who kill us are from amongst us. Isn't it true that people take advantage of our weaknesses??? Why not admit to our shortcomings and address them!? "You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State". I didn't say that, the Founder did. We need to bring the the true vision of Pakistan back, the vision of our Founder, the vision of, I dare say, the great majority of us. We canno let these crazies dictate to us. May the Shaheed Shabaz Bhatti rest in peace; I hope he didn't die in vain.

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Karim Alam

Mar 04, 2011 10:34am

Kamal AtaTurk way.....appealing

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Mohsin Shah

Mar 04, 2011 10:35am

Shahbaz Bhatti was an asset which we have lost, his brutal murder is a great loss of country

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dude138a

Mar 06, 2011 08:17pm

Nadeem,
I am a BIG fan of yours. And your articles are almost unbelievable to come out of a Pakistani publication. Fortunately for you, not many reads your writings in your own country because of language limitation and that are why you, yourself is still not in the firing range of these fanatics yet.
Please be safe and if you get any threat to your life then please seek asylum in any country and keep writing from there. Your life is precious, cherish it and don

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Syed

Mar 02, 2011 01:03pm

First they were just attacking the shia muslims. No one really cared. They killed hundreds of shia doctors in Karachi and no one cared. Now they are killing anyone who does not totally believe what they believe. Pakistan ka to Allah hi hafiz hai

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babar

Mar 02, 2011 01:06pm

good writeup, but I am afraid this is just a minority point of view of a minority read news paper in Pakistan. You need somehow to have this in Urdu...either a news paper or a channel broadcast this to the rest of the country....

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Murtaza

Mar 02, 2011 01:14pm

Good article like many others by Nadeem and others. One problem though. They are all in English something that the masses, especially those behind such crimes do not understand. Are such points of view ever published in Urdu ?

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umar

Mar 02, 2011 01:15pm

To this day I have never heard anyone from the right give a solid rational solution to any domestic political problems. nothing for the economy or education or human rights. Anything they say is yelled at the top of their lungs while they grow red in the face. I almost punched my laptop when i read this news. the fact that these men are hiding somewhere and know what they did with no justice coming their way makes my blood boil. they are all cowards and paper tigers. You cant run a civilized country without disagreement, without justice. I agree with NFP and i've decided i hate pakistan. i hate my people. i hate their self righteous holier than thou lies. i hate my government.
before i get flamed, just think about how Minister bhatthi's family feels now. i cant even imagine what it must feel like to be a christian in pakistan. a bunch of sniveling cowards harassing and mocking you everywhere you go. i hope everyone reads this story, even the civil society who will yell and scream when the chief justice is removed but wont say anything to defend the weak. hypocrites. wake up, stop being scared of the useless government and build a newer safer place for all of us.

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Zafar

Mar 02, 2011 01:20pm

Another one down and from the looks of things many more to go....Alas!
The basic question behind this killing spree needs to be settled. It is a commonly preached interpretation that death is the only punishment of blasphemy and anyone can kill anyone if killer believes blasphemy has been committed. Is it really the message of Islam? Not quite. Read this and confront those bigots :-
http://www.al-mawrid.org/pages/articles_english_detail.php?rid=1157&cid=304
BTW: The 'defenders of faith' have a variable definition of blasphemy. If opposing section 295c is blasphemy than what about falsely attributing a law to the Prophet or playing politics on the issue of his honor?

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A pakistani,UK

Mar 02, 2011 01:20pm

You are right but WHO IS GONNA BELL THE CAT?????????????

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haroon

Mar 02, 2011 01:22pm

I am ashamed to be a Pakistani today. RIP S Bhatti

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JN-DXB

Mar 02, 2011 01:27pm

Junaid, you're exactly what is wrong with Pakistan. People like you are the cancer. Davis was caught red handed and he will get his day in court. When will we find the killers of this Cabinet Minister? Stop clouding the issue with your useless victim rants.
I don't like a lot of what NFP writes but today he is right. We should have a hate crimes law and prosecute anyone that does or says anything that wil distrurb the peace - no matter which religion they are from.

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za

Mar 02, 2011 01:28pm

why dont you people come out on streets in india first since minorities are there in more trouble then pk.

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za

Mar 02, 2011 01:33pm

we all know how minorities treated in india.

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Mahvash

Mar 02, 2011 01:37pm

Completely endorse this.

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jay verma

Mar 02, 2011 01:39pm

well said Vidyut and same time very sad.....i feel same.

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Uza Syed

Mar 02, 2011 01:47pm

They might or might not be responsible for this or many other things. Howeve, when the so called democratically elected parliament and government and the rest of the political parties and their self-appointed leaders have so cowardly withdrawn themselves into their safe little holes, then military is the only organized force and better trained to deal with such demonic forces of bigots. I would rather be ruled by military then misruled by a gangs of so called democrats. No, thank you, democracy; leave us alone we are believers of tyrany in any form.

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Asym

Mar 02, 2011 01:47pm

"Salman Taseer:an orthodox Sunni Muslim but secular and liberal". Now this is what i dont understand. You can never be an orthodox muslim and secular and liberal at the same time. This is analogous to say an orthodox communist being a capitalist at the same time. Beats me!
There is some amount of sensible talk in this article, but it all boils down to the fact that misinterpretations of Islam has made it way lot difficult to follow the way it should have been.

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Ejaz

Mar 02, 2011 01:48pm

indeed its another black day not only for nation. but it gave very negative image of the religion to those who dont know about Islam.
our leaders should also be careful while giving statements. and one thing should be clear to them, any attempt to secularize the country will not be tolerated by majority of ppl. they must understand we love our religion and just for the sake of west they should stop making wrong statements.
media is also requested not to use a kind of language which promote hatred, i believe media is responsible for such extremist behavior in our country.

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car

Mar 02, 2011 01:49pm

When a religion is scared enough of debate to start murdering dissenters and disbelievers, it must indeed be a very weak and futile religion. Else it must be a religion of death, not of life. One is sometimes very glad to be born a non-Muslim.

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Abid

Mar 02, 2011 01:53pm

Reading NFP's articles remind me of the same scaremongering technques employed by ZH. Dont see much of a difference.

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Zia

Mar 02, 2011 01:53pm

I am ashamed to call or consider myself a Muslim or Pakistani...
I am done with both.

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chak

Mar 02, 2011 01:54pm

Whats new?
a minister was shot dead. that's all.
In the part of earth which is now Pakistan, non-muslims have been killed and been denied their rights for centuries. So why the sudden condemnation etc?
ministers getting killed, lately, is also pretty normal out here.
So how come so many msgs suggesting something untoward happened??
I don't get it.

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rksingh2002

Mar 02, 2011 01:56pm

why dont you try???

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Rashid

Mar 02, 2011 01:57pm

A sad day for all Pakistanis. May Bhatti sahib rest in peace, condolences to his family.

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Shahsia

Mar 02, 2011 02:04pm

Well done pakistanis you have saved Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) honour. I declare myself to be a minorty as well.

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chak

Mar 02, 2011 02:04pm

Religious parties have to follow what is written in their religion. They don't have any need to be politically correct, they, however, need to follow the guidelines of their religion. That is exactly the reason why they are 'religious parties'. So please stop expecting them to act in strange non-religious ways.

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za

Mar 02, 2011 02:05pm

better leave to india then u will know how minorities be treated there

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Fatima

Mar 02, 2011 02:08pm

well said Sana!

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Amjad Wyne

Mar 02, 2011 02:15pm

NFP, you dole out venom on everything and everyone - why cannot you say something about the government that is responsible for provide protection to its citizen but fails at least one hundred times every day. Today is Taliban, tomorrow will be thieves, another day will be political gangs. In the end, it is the government that must provide security and if it cannot, then it should leave the stage for someone who can.

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za

Mar 02, 2011 02:16pm

i visited in india in 1992 delhi, jaffarabad & personally witnessed massacre of muslims on babri masjid. doest it mean that every indian is evil. one must clean his/her home first then teach to anyone.

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Wise Jas

Mar 02, 2011 02:21pm

And perhaps proud too.

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Ahmad

Mar 02, 2011 02:24pm

India is a better country; and I say this as a Pakistani. Pakistanis should really forget about trying to compete with India and worry about their own futures.

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Moin Khan

Mar 02, 2011 02:27pm

"It will not be long where the meaning of Pakisatn which as you all know means
the Land of Pure will be used as a PUN (Joke)"
Pakistan being land of the pure has been a joke on the net for a long time....its for pakistanis to realize what they have to do with Pakistan

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Wise Jas

Mar 02, 2011 02:34pm

So you think we are not there yet. Or the reality hasn't sunken yet.

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S.A.Khan

Mar 02, 2011 02:35pm

Pakistan moderate sector of the society has allowed far to long appeasement of the Pakistan clerics(Mullah's) in it. The outcome of it is destruction and mayhem in the society. The clerics are dragging the society 1500 years behind for they are finding difficult with the masses to cope mentally with the change in the world. They seduce the vulnerable sector of the society by preeching what you cannot have and understand"destoy it" It is time that moderate sector cease being intimadeted by the clerics and encourage social uplift of the mullahs unless Pakistan society wishes to go back to days of camels for tranport, candle sticks for light, long unkept beards for want of facial cleansing facilities. My reading of Islamic books substantiaite that Prophet Mohammed was an articulate worldy person and believed in protecting the interest of the minorites and vulnerable. Islam of today is for destruction and mayhem. Islamic thinkers should ponder what kind of world they envisage for muslims.

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Srinath

Mar 02, 2011 02:36pm

What can a few brave hearts like Asma do when the entire nation is caught in the frenzy and resonating with slogans like" Pakistan ka matlab kya ......" Seen the BBC clip of Mr Bhatti fearlessly explaining his uncompromising stand on Blasphemy laws. I admire this courageous soul . Wonder why Pakistan doesn't recognize its heroes.

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Aslam

Mar 02, 2011 02:37pm

Pakistan won't be able to survive without implementing secular constitution. It's sad to see slow demise of Pakistan as a country. Why we need external enemy, when we are enough to destroy ourselves?

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rehmat

Mar 02, 2011 02:38pm

I am an Indian Muslim and I am simply shocked by your statement. Where did you get this information from? Muslims have a stake and a say in Indian society and in every sphere from cricket to politics to acting to music to business, we have reached the top.

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Seedoo

Mar 02, 2011 02:42pm

You are absolutely correct. Most liberal thinking Pakistanis happen to read English newspapers. This is no more than 5% of Pakistan.

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Moin Khan

Mar 02, 2011 02:43pm

@Shaira
Stop watching Pakistani Media Channels, world is beautiful if you look at it without made in Pakistan glasses!
No doubt not a single Indian Muslim wants to come and live in "Islamic Republic of Pakistan", however, thousands are moving into India, artist being the biggest lot......This should give you an answer for "Muslims being specifically Targeted".
What India has achieved in past 20 yrs (post Liberalization of 1990s) Pakistan could not in past 60 yrs, even being 95% Muslim.....This talks leaps and bounds about India in comparison with Pakistan......open any Top 10 Positive list of countries you will Find India and open any Top 10 Negative list you will find Pakistan.
I hope people of pakistan leave this myopic mentality and learn to live responsibly. I believe Pakistan needs a total revamp and new education system which would be out of control of Mullah and Military alliance!

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acmal

Mar 02, 2011 02:44pm

oh poor Pakistan wat to say U r in ICU need some oxygen. All who is sypathasing the killing of minister, Where were you when ur leaders changed the constitution. did u raise ur finger that time?.Those who commenting against the killings have show their courage to change the blasphemy law. Raise their voice public ally. Participate TV discussions, this author is having that much courage?.. U can sit in safer place and give sympathy. but u cant come to the street and protest for it.One of the commenter mentioned here that his house was thrice robbed u majority Muslims are responsible for that.minorities are afraid to live in pakistan.

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Seedoo

Mar 02, 2011 02:46pm

Just go ahead and blame this on American spies also and let's go back to sleep. A sleeping nation is what we have become.

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jc nars

Mar 02, 2011 02:46pm

Perfectly put !
NFP, get outta there. Someday, someone who can read a bit of english will decide that your time is up in this (animal) planet.

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Sash

Mar 02, 2011 02:49pm

very sad and this is become so common in Pakistan. I am from India and read almost all the article in dawn to get your view as a nation. just wondering how its going down the drain. Dear friends , making comments here is good but will remain just a comment , unless and until you go the way of Egypt. One women girl posted in facebook "People, I am going to Tahrir Square" read the article below.
http://flashnewstoday.com/index.php/people-i-am-going-to-tahrir-square-facebook/
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-04/middle-east/28357180_1_tahrir-square-snowball-facebook
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/facebook-post-that-sparked-egypt-revolution/142328-2.html
for the sake of mankind and peace let men rise from Pak and stop these innocent killings.

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Wise Jas

Mar 02, 2011 02:50pm

I feel for you Mr Paracha as I do for every other fair-minded and freedom-loving Pakistani. Keep up your fight against ignorance. Freedom is worht it. Right now it may feel that your voice is in wilderness, but things will change. Right now I am just thankful that my great-grand father did not stay in Karachi or Pakistan.

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Prem

Mar 02, 2011 02:52pm

They are not illiterate people. They are well educated and indoctrinated.

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Raghavan

Mar 02, 2011 02:54pm

No one can blame any Pakistani politician for this. Because all this madness has its roots right from the creation of Pakisan. Why was a country that existed for 5000 years divided? Answer can only be for selfishness of Nehru and Jinnah! It got more and more radicalised and today Pakistan is on the verge of becoming a radical state that is going to ...completely wipe out the minorities.......that not only means non-muslims but also Shias, Sufis, Ahmadiyas etc

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Seedoo

Mar 02, 2011 02:54pm

Shahjee, you can keep saying Islam is a religion of peace, but please keep in mind that Islam is what we practice. If people who are killing in the name of Islam and other adherents of the faith, like us, are condoning the murder, then any claim of Islam being peaceful rings hollow! At its very core, Islam may be a religion of peace, but please do not forget that Islam, just like any other religion, is like a kitchen knife. In the hands of a crazy lunatic it is a very dangerous weapon.

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daud munawar

Mar 02, 2011 02:54pm

Wake up Pakistan. For GOD's sake, do something to get Pakistan out of he dark ages. Our prophet (pbuh) never wanted this kind of Islam. We have to get rid of mullah before it is too late. Make us proud Pakistanis. This fire is
engulfing the country. We must extinguish this fire

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Ashok Jain

Mar 02, 2011 03:03pm

Today it is........ RIP Shahbaz Bhatti
Tomorrow it will be.....RIP Pakistan....(am not dreaming!)

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Seedoo

Mar 02, 2011 03:04pm

All I have to say is this. Who were the 3,000 people massacred in Gujrat? Try acting muslim and finding an apartment for rent in the heart of Bombay, and we will see how far you get. Did you forget the slogan "Jao Pakistan warna jao qabrastan". Boy your memory is bad. By the way, this article is about the sorry state of affairs in Pakistan, and every one, including Indians should be welcome to make educated comments. However, from whatever little I know, this is not the medium for spewing hatred against Pakistan by the Indians or vice versa.

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Khan

Mar 02, 2011 03:04pm

Good Point. NFP should start writing in other Language to address the audience who has picked up guns... They do not understand English. And when he will stop targeting the Mosque for every evil in Pakistan.

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Sherazdar

Mar 02, 2011 03:06pm

"Thus, only Muslims (mainly orthodox Sunnis) have the right to rule", this is absolutely false. Shia Muslims have been elected to the highest offices in Pakistan time and time again including the current administration. Criticizing the country for the acts of a few is outrageous, call the acts villainous and the perpetrators villains but stop criticizing the whole nation and country.

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Wise Jas

Mar 02, 2011 03:09pm

Congratulations, Zia. I did the similar thing long time ago while in University and never regretted it. I consider myself a truely free man whose world view is not tainted by nationism, or any other -ism or religion. I know we can not, perhaps should not, be free in our actions but in thoughts we should be. And I am and so you would be. Discarding certain values and traditions with which we grow up is not easy but should be done for the betterment of self and perhaps humanity too. Best wishes to you.

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Zafar Malik

Mar 02, 2011 03:15pm

We need a SECULAR PAKISTAN. These forces of darkness want the country to return to STONE AGE Their inhuman version of Islam has no place in the modren world.
SECULAR REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.

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Aslam

Mar 02, 2011 03:20pm

People like you mindset are responsible for today's state of Pakistan. Terrorists can not be a freedom fighter because he does not value the freedom of others.

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hana

Mar 02, 2011 03:20pm

shahbaz bhatti , a brave man, R.I.P

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SK

Mar 02, 2011 03:23pm

But you can't, it strikes at the heart of 2 nation theory.

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Pradeep

Mar 02, 2011 03:26pm

I am reminded of a dialogue from a movie. "What can men do against such reckless hate?"
Pakistan truly is at crossroads. I have said it before and I say it again. The right wingers do not need submission from the liberals. Mere inaction and inertia of the liberals is more than enough for them to sweep through your country. The choice is yours.

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Maria

Mar 02, 2011 03:26pm

My heart felt condolences for slain Shahbaz Bhatti. Now I justify Nehru for saving us by accepting partition.

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Aslam

Mar 02, 2011 03:29pm

Unfortunately, Pakistan has more followers of Zaid Hamid than India has for Bal Thakeray.

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Pradeep

Mar 02, 2011 03:31pm

I do not even want to respond to your statement. I would rather request my fellow countrymen who follow the Islamic faith respond.

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Janjua

Mar 02, 2011 03:33pm

NFP..
Thanks Indeed for this excellent write-up once again. I was reading another news that when all the members of National Assembly today while condoling the death of Minister stood up from their seats for two minutes silence as a respect, three members of JUI (F) didn't bother to stand up in showing their respect and kept seated. What a shame! Those Mulla's were not asked to offer "Fateha" for a Non Muslim but only two minutes silence required as a respect but they didn't offer even that.

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petrus

Mar 08, 2011 02:03am

It seems that most Pakistanis accept that in the unlikely event the murderers are caught, that they will not be subject to any real sanction. That, coupled with other murders of any minority, or anyone who attempts to speak with the voice of moderation, means that Pakistan is well down the slippery slope to anarchy. A failed state!

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Raj

Mar 02, 2011 03:37pm

Least the government can do is to give Mr. Bhatti a STATE FUNERAL and declare THREE DAYS OF NATIONAL MOURNING.

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riz

Mar 02, 2011 03:40pm

Another sad day for all Pakistan! I also feel ashamed to call Pakistani ......No more religion and no more madrasas. Very bold and honest article and I agree with the end of Pakistan

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Aslam

Mar 02, 2011 03:40pm

If we were targeted and marginalized in India then it would have not been possible for Muslims to be a top notch scientist and former president APJ Kalam, Bollywood stars Shahrukh Khan Aamir Khan Salman Khan, billionaire business tycoon Azim Premji and thousands of others in different spheres of life. Pakistan will have to realize that religion cannot be a binding factor to build a strong nation (specially after Bangladesh experience). At the end of the day people need security, food and education no matter what religion they belong to.

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alan

Mar 02, 2011 03:41pm

After the murder of Salman Taseer, a Muslim who supported the rights of minorities, it is no longer shocking that a Christian who does the same is also murdered. What remains disturbing is that so many in Pakistan will celebrate his murder and so many will honor the murderers. Where are those who will stand for those who stand up for others?

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Aslam

Mar 02, 2011 03:44pm

Unfortunately your comment reflects only what you have seen on Pakistani news channels about India. Please do come to India and be our guest to see the reality in everyday life.

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ajmal

Mar 02, 2011 03:46pm

Please stop this madness, stop appeasing mullahs, blesphemy does not exist in Islam. Prophet Mohammad was deriled by his opponents throughout his life, but He always pardoned them, so were all Prophets of God. These Mullahs do not read Quran, or life history of Hazur.
Please stop this madness, lest it is too late.
Ajmal

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Nadeem

Mar 02, 2011 03:46pm

Our nation has been hijacked by these fanatics. The media which was supposed to be the savior from brutal dictators is silent about these vicious animals that prowl the streets of our beloved country, shame on the media.
Pakistani leaders (so called) are all COWARDS. Military and Civilian.
Our Military is IGNORANT of this internal threat.
Our intelligence services (what a joke!) what good are they?

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ajay shukla

Mar 02, 2011 03:59pm

no, athar saheb, no. any kind of extremism is bound to get ugly.

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A. Yusafzai

Mar 02, 2011 04:00pm

True. It's like preaching to the choir. Such articles should be published in the Urdu press to reach a wider audience.

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Silajit

Mar 02, 2011 04:02pm

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
- Pastor Martin Niemoller

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ziIqbal

Mar 02, 2011 04:03pm

Another one down and from the looks of things many more to go

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Isaac

Mar 02, 2011 04:06pm

The issue here is education. A vast majority of the population is bereft of any education other than the vitriol that is taught in the madrassas. The common man of Pakistan needs education and alternate points of view in order to make informed decisions about the state of the nation.

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Rajiv

Mar 02, 2011 04:07pm

Everybody in pakistan who do not go out and demand justice for these two, who died to give you an acceptable face world wide is a suicide bomber cause sooner or later you either gonna be killed by taliban or else by the west when you become 100% talibani country... like shiv khera said "If some injustice is done to my neighbor and i keep silent, next number is mine"...
People in pakistan keep blaming leaders.. they need to see what people power have done in Tunisia and Egypt...

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Sane Human

Mar 02, 2011 04:09pm

A sad day, not only for Bakistanis but for every sane human around the world who cares about rights of minorities.
Our thoughts and wishes with Mr. Bhatti's family.

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KM

Mar 02, 2011 04:11pm

GKrishnan -
Those living in glass houses should not thrown stones at others.
We have our share of issues - Gujarat (my head hangs in shame), Staines killing in Orissa where the missionary and his kids were burned alive. And then the christian maoists who are like the taliban....
Lets clean up our own house before saying anything to others.

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Syed nizamuddin

Mar 02, 2011 04:12pm

We should be thankful to God that his articles are not published in Urdu otherwise this voice would also have been silenced.

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Bikku

Mar 02, 2011 04:12pm

My heart felt condolences to Shahbaz Bhatti's family. I have been reading Dawn for the past 2 years and you have been doing comendable job for Pakistan. Your cause to emancipate Pakistan from fanatical grip will fruition one day, but I fear how much of Pakistanis know English well, even your cricket team captain (those in the limelight) doesn't know English well then how could the masses. I and would also like to point out that if Dawn is able to publish their views in Cyber media it would be a great step towards your pious goal.

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Moin Khan

Mar 02, 2011 04:13pm

@ Mehmoona
From where did you come up with this gem? Your Pakistani school books?
Get out and see the world and its progress, and then compare it to pakistan and its illiterate bigoted society......You will realize you are your own enemy. Bogeyman of India is just another ploy of shameless agencies and elites to swindle Dollars into their accounts and keep fooling common man who is living on hate and some delusional glory from the past which was never theirs, inturn killing fellow human beings......Ask anyone in this world what does pakistan represents and trust me you will not be surprised!

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BRR

Mar 02, 2011 04:17pm

What do you expect from a nation that defined itself for a long time as "not being lndia", from a people that defined themselves as "better than the Bania", as a country that defined itself as "purer than the wicked west". An identity based on "not being the hated other" leads to such hatred, intolerance and wickedness. The consequences are here to reap.

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BRR

Mar 02, 2011 04:18pm

The vast majority is inculcated in such right-wing rhetoric, and the masses sympathize with such killers. Don't expect miracles from an intolerant society.

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Bilal

Mar 02, 2011 04:19pm

and yes once again kudos to nfp for coming up with yet another piece of bravado!

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Zafar

Mar 02, 2011 04:22pm

Somebody commented "Pakistan ka to Allah hi hafiz"..wrong..HE left us the time we start killing in HIS name..

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BRR

Mar 02, 2011 04:22pm

The minorities do not need the protection of the majority - they just want to be left alone. They need the protection of the constitution - which does not provide it any. They need the protection of the laws of the land, which actually now victimizes them.

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Aamenah Yusafzai

Mar 02, 2011 04:23pm

Excellent article. Please translate this to Urdu and get it published in the Urdu press. It deserves circulation among a wider audience--among people who need to know such facts and think about what they're doing.

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mehmoona

Mar 02, 2011 04:25pm

its called reality !

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BRR

Mar 02, 2011 04:25pm

You can claim all you want that Islam is a religion of peace, and not make an iota of real difference when Muslims sympathize with murderers, and are happy to kill a kafir. Hollow claims made by people with no gravitas.

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BRR

Mar 02, 2011 04:27pm

You have got to be kidding.

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Ashraf

Mar 02, 2011 04:34pm

Banning Madrassas would not do any good. the following report by UNESCO tells us that madrassas are not the problem. The two suggestions that you have given are too drastic to implement. Secondly, if implemented they will only serve to antagonise the mainly neutral population and shall help to swell the rank and file of the extremists. Plus will earn the title of "fascist liberals" for the progressive column of our society. We should remember what happened in Afghanistan about 30 years ago and should get out of the "us versus them mindset" because that is what the extremists are looking for i.e polarizing the pakistani society. The only solution is improving education, by shredding this class based education system i.e Taat model school for the poor, English medium for the mediocre, A and Ohhh level for the upper middle and Foreign education for only the filthy rich". There should be a system which opens up learning opportunities for children according to their "talent" not because of their parents bank balance. Have you ever thought about why only the poor or the orphaned children are sent to the madrassas???? because of a welfare structure that they have. can you name even one such system sponsored by the GOVT? So basically we should closed down all those madrassas so that the children have no other options but to beg on streets or get recruited for the millitancy industry as suicide bombers?
Dont get me wrong I also want the country to progress but I wudn't mind if somebody gives a thought to what he/ she is posting before actually posting it on a website.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/02/pakistan-spends-7-times-more-on-arms-than-on-schools.html

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Bill

Mar 02, 2011 04:37pm

Bless you Nadeem. You are a true Patriot and your voice shows your love for Pakistan and your hopes for a vibrant, forgiving, compassionate, and tolerant Islam.

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Iftikhar Husain

Mar 02, 2011 04:39pm

The only thing that can be said is tyhe great shame where our country is heading is very dangerous everybody has to join and think what to do with this madness.

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Ameer Kher

Mar 02, 2011 04:41pm

I find it very difficult to agree with the first two statements. How come none of the muslim religious leaders or clerics condemn such acts and none of them come forward to eliminate these elements from the system? It is a historical fact that Islam was spread mostly by violence.

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mILLI

Mar 08, 2011 04:12am

"By the way, men like Taseer too are a minority: an orthodox Sunni Muslim but secular and liberal."
This cracked me up :D

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mehmoona

Mar 02, 2011 04:56pm

to all the above discourse,the point seems to be that the muslims in India are very happy with their own state of affairs and the government,
well good luck to them
but the fact of the matter is that injustices and prejudices do prevail there as well which came to the surface in gujrat , babri masjid and the vociferous preaching of the BJP.
It seems even there religious prejudices do overcome justice at times ,yesterday's newspapers declared some maulvi in Godhara Gujrat innocent after spending 9 years in incarceration ! not an insignificant amount of time i would say.
my point is simply this we Pakistanis need to work for our country's betterment
.but what we dont like is categorising all of us as evil
and what we dont like is people in India telling us that they live in perfect non prejudicial society India has improved no doubt but it is in no way the best country or for the matter perfect and to say that it is so is streching the truth a bit too far.and every time even a cracker goes off in India we dont want fingers pointing in our direction.for all your bollywood hip you still have women being burnt for lack of dowry
so yes we do have big problems in Pakistan and so do you in India, we will work on ours and you work on yours and if you think you can help offer suggestions but if you cant and just want to find faults with a society you can find plenty in India. that goes for the indian muslims as well

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M. Saleh

Mar 02, 2011 05:12pm

I second you and going back to humanity by departing from the religion and country with all my family members.

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Malik

Mar 02, 2011 05:17pm

Shamefully, they killed another good person. Let us see if they murderers are showered with rose petals this time by Islamabad attorneys again? If the silent majority had condemned them, maybe Shahbaz Bhatti be still alive. What kind of threat he was to them? I can't believe. It is shocking. It is shameful when many Pakistanis in the West starts introducing themselves as Indians to take temporary refuge from blames by association. How come there was not enough security when there was a sword of Damocles hanging on his head all the time? The Islamabad IG shamefully did not acknowledge this.

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Ali Khattak

Mar 02, 2011 05:20pm

Shame on you Saleh.. moral relativism is not needed now

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Tariq

Mar 02, 2011 05:20pm

We have cried enough over spilt "milk"(blood of innocent citizens of Pak), and the tears have dried up. The corrupt State of Pakistan is putting its Machiavellian schemes into practice to survive in Power. Next, it will be the so-called opposition and the notorious Sharifov brothers. And the ferris wheel will continue.
If anyone is interested to set things right, here is a very simple formula: 1. Good Governance. 2. Strict Rule of Law. 3. A few Brave men (and women) who can call a spade a spade, and are willing to get to work.

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Suhas Kharbanda

Mar 02, 2011 05:23pm

You only get the ruler you deserve and with such menatlity you are bound to be ruled by such men.

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Tahir Khan

Mar 02, 2011 05:31pm

Does this shock anyone? Not me. It's about time that we visited some righteous wrath on these murderers. The full might and resources of the state should be deployed to root and eliminate these people. Start with rounding up overtly religious people; shutdown seminaries; immediately repeal the blasphemy law.

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Ayasha

Mar 02, 2011 05:31pm

Little by little the mullah encrouches upon Pakistan. Little by little they theaten and kill and no one stands up. All is silent.
I am so frightened for Pakistan.
The people I first began to talk to in 2004 via cybersapce, were angry at me. I'm American, thus all the blame for Pakistan's troubles seemed to fall on my shoulders. I was puzzled and hurt, but I got myself informed and though I don't agree with whining (which I'm guilty of myself sometimes), I began to understand where these angry people were coming from.
Still, in 2004, people were about their lives. Hope was in the air. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy made a documentary at that time in which she talked to many moderates and a few not so moderate.
One man in Peshawar said that of course they don't want the Taliban to rule after seeing what happened to Afghanistan. "Have you seen what's happened over there," he said. Another lady replied that if she was forced to cover her hair, it would be difficult, because she was going to fight it. Another lady, who runs a newspaper warned of the danger. She, at least saw it coming. The last lady I remember from this old, yet not so old, documentary said, "we've worked very hard for the freedoms we have and we're not about to give them up."
Then there was the professor. He said the whole world should follow the Taliban way. He seemed to think that if they took away just a few of their 'problems,' they would have Utopia. The revolution is coming said a man who sold burqas. 'It has begun' said another.
Faces in the sun, outside in a crowd, all felt free to give their opinions and say what they thought.
Now look at today. Everyone from Ms. Bhutto on, who wants to do something positive for Pakistan is killed. When the Taliban and their followers thought Mr. Raymond Davis might be released, they came out in threatening droves to protest. Yet who came out for Mr. Tanveer? Who came out for the boys tortured in Siakhot? Who came out for the Christians incinerated in their home?
The Taliban threatens and causes fear. Many of them seem to be ignorant cavemen, but they seem to acquire genius when it comes to frightening others into submission. Why not? Killing is nothing to them. Mercy doesn't exist and certainly there is no shame. In the beginning they rob us of our courage. After that, I fear they will take everything right down to our souls. They have learned that if they kill here and there, Pakistan will someday belong to them.
I'm an American. A Down East lady. It's not for me to tell you to go out in droves and engage the evil. Not while I sit here in my snowy, safe and quiet haven.
But what is the solution? Is there a solution?

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Zia Hassan

Mar 02, 2011 05:31pm

It was utter surprising, rather traumatically shocking, when I was reading the news regarding brutal assassination of Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti. It is the second brutal episode after Salman Taseer who was shot dead by a member of his security detail. I think our society is really going backward. Today, we have even snatched a very basic right of

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rohit

Mar 02, 2011 05:35pm

as an Indian I worry about Pakistan, a stable Pakistan is good for everyone in South Asia. An extremist/intolerant Pakistan has ripple effects in India as well with the radicalization of Muslim youth in India/Bangladesh as well. I have been to middle east/Europe/US and out of all the Islamic nations treat their religious minorities the worst. I don't know if Pakistan was founded on principal of an Islamic state or not but if this is the interpretation of Islam to be followed then I wonder if Partition was a good thing. Undivided India today would have had over 30% muslims and there may have had even more violence.

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Hanni

Mar 02, 2011 05:38pm

i am realy speachless... now i feel ashamed to name myself as a pakistani. i live in germany and here the media stimulate the more negative views on pakistan: has nuclear bomb but loadshedding, taliban, beheadings of journalist, target killings of minorities, bomb attacks and even killing of politicians like bhutto, taseer and now bhatti.
the killer of taseer is welcomed by the mass, gets garland of flowers, "mullahs" declear fatwas to kill others (e.g. asia bibi, ahmadies) is a action for islam, openly in mosques and gathering, everything is recorded on cameras but law agency takes action, no police, no judge, no government!
Pakistan is facing the badest creature on the earth (todays mullahs) which once it created himself by zia ul haq. in germany we have a saying: "wer wind s

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ghazala

Mar 02, 2011 05:38pm

It is a sad day for Pakistan.The only way anyone is going to learn any lesson is to hang Salman Taseer's killer.
Education,tolerance and patience needs to be taught to kids from their basic primary school.Education should be wide spread and the only way would be to eradicate the Wadera system.

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Imran

Mar 02, 2011 05:41pm

These murderers are the biggest comitters of blasphemy. Can there be a greater blasphemy than (claiming to) believing in Muhammad(PBUH) but not acting on his teachings?

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maya khan

Mar 02, 2011 05:42pm

nothing is unexpected here. the roots of this madness go back several decades. nobody had the courage the nip the evil even when it was in the bud. now with such a fully grown and much weakened government , can u imagine getting rid of this madness? forget it. This is the hell on earth. we are reaping what we sowed.

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Zulfiqar

Mar 02, 2011 05:45pm

...Another sad day. Religious parties and some lawyers cheered when Salman Taseer was killed, what can we expect from them now? This is reponsiblity is with the murderers, the mullahs and the state who cannot protect it's people.

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Masood Mukhtar

Mar 02, 2011 05:45pm

Nice article; but take care of yourself. there are very few voices left in Pakistan to raise against the Mullahs. Those PPP guys who are advocate of reconciliation suppose to open their eyes and try to understand one thing either you are with us (Peoples of Pakistan) or with the dark forces.

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Ravi Deshmukh

Mar 02, 2011 05:53pm

Pakistan is not Afghanistan. We should stop demonizing whole of Pakistan because of one Minister's assassination. By the way our own country has got tons of problem from massive corruption scandals to nepotism. Ours is a not a land of Honey and Milk either..

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Shiv Lahiri

Mar 02, 2011 06:02pm

Pakistani textboks, newspapers, t.v. channels, Zaid Hamid etc. etc. - but they must be wondering why the muslims from India are not seeking refuge in Pakistan inspite of being 'hounded' !

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KMR Overseas

Mar 02, 2011 06:11pm

As long as Mullahs teach and glorify the hate and killings in Madrassas, none can stop such crimes.
Is Pakistani establishment lurking to overthrow elected government?

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shaun

Mar 02, 2011 06:12pm

What a heck is this. Why Pakistani government do not take a positive step and eliminate so-called Islamic laws which is responsible to taking a hundred of innocent lives since it came into existence. There is only way to protect the Pakistan is that mend the constitution and bring the positive changes in the society by banning such malicious thoughts.

I am sorry to here that. I am with you when you say I am ashamed to call myself a Pakistani but please do not be ashamed to be a Muslim. A Muslim is not what a Taliban is. People like you need to know and believe that. The laws that are created by Mullahs are not the TRUE Islam. Islam is just following the Quran and the Quran does not say anywhere to kill innocent people. Do not follow the lies the people tell when they quote to you a hadith of the blue. Trust the Quran and I promise you won't be disappointed:
Say: "Shall I seek for judge other than God? - when He it is Who hath sent unto you the Book, EXPLAINED IN DETAIL." (Quran : 6.114)

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sschauhan

Mar 02, 2011 06:36pm

All Religions of world teach same thing. Than why we all learn in different ways.

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Haroonf

Mar 02, 2011 06:39pm

A very sad for Pakistan. My head is bowed down with shame as a Pakistani. Folks, how much more has to happen before we think 'enough is enogh'. Why can we not stop these hate mongers and religiously intolerant people?

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Nishant

Mar 02, 2011 06:39pm

This is a similar problem in many countries. That is why it is important to teach english to as many people as possible. Even in India (I live in mumbai), most of the crap is written in local languages and those who don't know english well have no choice but to read that only.
I think Pakistan should act as a very good example for everybody of what happens if you let extremists (whether muslim, hindu, or anyone else) have their way for anything. Even though they promise a quick fix to some problems, they always become a bigger problem themselves.
Don't rely on politicians, power attracts corrupt people, it is the educated people who have to keep things sane.

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SSP

Mar 02, 2011 06:44pm

If one comes to think of it then almost every religion's core message is that of peace in simple live and let live! If we the 'Proud' Muslims-Pakistani for that matter think that our religion is indeed the greatest then why can't we seem to understand the easiest and simplest thing that Islam has to teach, that is we are humans first then anything else.
We Pakistanis have actually become Punjabi/Sindhi/Pakhtun/Balochi/Muhajjir first then shia/sunni/barelvi etc then Pakistani and then Muslims. Where is the humanity? When we lack humanity how can we even think of going any further! We have become termites of our very own house and sadly we love eating up our own foundation further weakening it!

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khalid saeed

Mar 02, 2011 06:45pm

Killing of innocent people can not be justified by any norms, be it a secretarian killing or killing of minorities. One thing which i do not understand why people in Pakistan has gained courage lately to deliver open blasphemic statements in a country which got independence on the basis of religion (no body can deny this core truth and no body can change the history now). If there is misuse of the blasphemic law then let the court decides and punish those who misuse the law. It does not justify or give right to anybody to be blasphemic. This is very simple equation that no true muslim can accept blasphemic behaviour and not at least in Pakistan.

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Nishant

Mar 02, 2011 06:45pm

Very true. In India, even a killer captured on camera gets a trial. He has lawyers representing him even though Shiv Sena and MNS said they will not let anyone represent him.
I hope Pakistan does not fall to these extremists, not just for the minorities and the liberals in Pakistan, but also for the rest of the people of the world.

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David Pepperdine

Mar 02, 2011 06:54pm

The country was founded on the wrong principles -- isolationism, racism, and a Muslim (rather than secular) identity. It's in the DNA. That is what allowed Madarassas to prosper freely. It will likely get worse before it gets better. A secular meritocracy is decades away.

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khalid saeed

Mar 02, 2011 06:54pm

This society in the process of transformation due to war imposed on pakistan by western interest.

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Sania

Mar 02, 2011 07:05pm

Pakistanis are not the only ones killing minorities. Religious minorities are persecuted and killed in most muslim countries.

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Ahmer Jamil Khan

Mar 02, 2011 07:06pm

Critical thinking is another national deficit Pakistan faces!
Just a thought: We the people of Pakistan make the laws, why can't we review them?
We are the taxpayers, and we have the very right to raise our voices against anything we feel is unjust or against our will!

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linga0123

Mar 02, 2011 07:07pm

Spot On!

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Moin Khan

Mar 02, 2011 07:11pm

Here we go again.....this is the very reason why pakistan is a mess and counted in top failed states in the world depended on aid from the very kafirs it hates.....Isn't it ironic....Gosh!

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Farooq

Mar 02, 2011 07:12pm

This is certainly another shameful act in the name of religion. Pakistan is under the grip of religious fanatics like it never have been. These fanatics have turned this once peaceful land into a suffocated place where only hyprocats can breathe well.

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anant jain

Mar 02, 2011 07:15pm

No he left you with the creation of Pakistan.

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basher

Mar 02, 2011 07:19pm

huh..nfp never written such article for drone-attack killed ones, they were also human..or those 3 ppl killed by raymond davis the terrorist, is'nt those human? or only taseer or this bhatti were human? so this shows ur double standards n u shud not expect logical things to happen wid u when u opt double standards urself..

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khalid saeed

Mar 02, 2011 07:21pm

how will it help the pakistani socieity as a whole by declaring 3 days or 10 days of mourning. let us be realistic, mourning will not change the situation. every pakistani who die as a result of drone attach need mourning as well

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Masood Mukhtar

Mar 02, 2011 07:21pm

It has been proved that after all retrievals of the so-called liberal govt., madness can only be stopped by madness. We need committed liberal and need prompt reply against the enemy of humanity in their own language. otherwise there is no end of this one sided madness, except murder of all hopes, murder of all human lovers and only vultures will be left who eat human on the name of religion, region and radicalism.

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Zakir Akbar

Mar 02, 2011 07:24pm

Another sad day in Pakistan. I think time has come for Progressive and liberals need to come together and standup for their beleif. If there is any reason for me to move back to Pakistan, it will be to organize and put up a fight against these lunatics. Will I die, yes ofcourse. But I will rather die fighting for a cause, then getting hit by car or something else. I remember those days when we used to be handful of PSF workers in Karachi university, in the 80s, who stood up against IJT. Initially we got beaten up very badly by them, but later silent spectaters joined us and finally Jamatis got neutralized.
I know, if we can fight Ziaul-Haq, we can fight these evil people as well.
NFP, Please take care of your self. Who know, you may be on thse lunatics hit list. We can't afford to loose you. Take care

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Masood Mukhtar

Mar 02, 2011 07:30pm

I am 100% agreed with you. only a liberal Pakistan can survive; otherwise there will be no county with name Pakistan on the world map. These mullahs were against the creation of Pakistan and now with the Ill-planned military trying hard to end it as soon as possible.

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anant jain

Mar 02, 2011 07:32pm

@Mehmoona: yes we have had our 'aberrations', but are they our mainstream? no. Look at what has happened to Babri Masjid case and the maturity with which Hindus and Muslims have handled it. I do agree that there is a right wing in India but most Indians (and yes Indian Hindus) would not get swayed by their communal agenda. India as a nation has moved from days were communal incitements were electorally rewarding. BJP, the right wing has not won national elections for the past two terms.
One example that should clear air about your minority mistrust in India, goes back to my 5th standard Hindi text book, it talks about "Veer Shaheed Abdul Hamid", the Indian sepoy who won the Paramveer Chakra, India's highest gallantry reward for 1965 war, i do not remember names of other brave soldiers who have won this award.
@Aftab & Shoaib you guys rock.

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Masood Mukhtar

Mar 02, 2011 07:37pm

100% agreed, but who will put the bell around cat neck? while cat becomes monster with the support of vested interests.

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Usman

Mar 02, 2011 07:40pm

Very true!

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SB

Mar 02, 2011 07:41pm

another sad and shameful day for the unfortunate country.

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Jahiz

Mar 02, 2011 07:42pm

The root of all evil, through history and especially in Pakistan today, is religion.
We need to instill a secular constitution, recognize Ahmedis as whatever they want to be, remove the religion section from our passport, and most importantly, completely strike the blasphemy laws.
My approach to this used to be very pragmatic (blasphemy laws) that it might not be wise to remove them now, but with this and Taseer's murder, I am convinced we need to stand up and fight for what we want and guide our country towards it, rather than be scared and sit and wait to be pushed to the ground.

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Reza

Mar 02, 2011 07:49pm

Why are Pakistanis not taking to streets, petitioning, striking, etc., to force their government to follow the will of the tolerant majority (I know it's there)? Haven't so many of you bloggers written that Pakistan does not need an Egypt-style revolution as it's a 'democracy.' Can such atrocities be permitted in a democracy without elected representatives being held accountable? Or is there no more democracy now than under Musharraf, Zia and the rest?

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Curtis LeMay

Mar 02, 2011 07:49pm

Of course they can be closed. Build state schools with dormitories where necessary to replace them.
There is no choice in the matter, unless you are prepared to accept never ending murders as with Minister Bhatti.
The deluded preachers of hate in the madrassas must be kicked out, and out of the country where appropriate.

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anant jain

Mar 02, 2011 07:51pm

Firstly thanks for my Muslims friends from India on responding to this.
@Sahira: You really need to stop watching the Pakistani media. We have had Muslims as our President, Chief Justice of Supreme Court and cabinet ministers of almost all ranks. The debates in our society are around reservations for economically backward muslims and other minorities. Our text books talk about Shaheed Abdul Hameed, and yes my heart fills with pride. My closest friends are a Pathan who migrated from Aghanistan and another Sunni Muslim. I work for the world's best company and my manager here is a Muslim.

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Jason

Mar 02, 2011 07:52pm

The protesters holding placards "the killers are not musilms", "this is not islam" etc. ! Attitudes like this will not help Pakistan return to civil society. First they have to identify the problem within their own religion, identify that the killers are acting as protectors of the religion, and probably went to religious schools and accept the fact that religion is in serious need of reform. Living in denial is not going to help solve any problem. Christianity and most other religions went thro' this phase of reforms and acceptance. If you can't accept responsibility, then there is nothing to fix...

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sajid khan

Mar 02, 2011 08:04pm

Pakistan is reaping what it sowed. Teach hatred to your children in schools and you have these brain washed monsters killing in the name of religion. Unless the silent majority wakes up and makes a stand, there is no hope for Pakistan. It is a failed state no matter how much we hate to hear it.

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SULTAN.

Mar 02, 2011 08:05pm

THE PAKISTAN SUFFERS A LOT , NOT BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE OF BAD PEOPLE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SILENCE OF GOOD PEOPLE.

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Fouad

Mar 02, 2011 08:06pm

For the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be a Pakistani. Mullah culture has to go, and the 'fatwa factories' need to be put out of business. We as a nation, need to start redefining our friends and foes without considering the religion. I never thought I'd say this, but the truth is, we need a Mustapha Kamal Pasha in our ranks to cleanse the country of religious fanaticism. Pakistan was never created in the name of Islam, Jinnah said it clearly, yet we do not want to admit the harsh truth.

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SULTAN.

Mar 02, 2011 08:09pm

THE PAKISTAN AND PAKISTANIS SUFFERS A LOT NOT BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE OF BAD PEOPLE BUT BECAUSE OF THE SILENCE OF GOOD PEOPLE.

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Irfan

Mar 02, 2011 08:12pm

I hope we don't allow that to become a reason or a justification for doing the same.

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Samir M Sacks

Mar 02, 2011 08:14pm

It's like a very dark opera of good versus evil. The timid and plaintive refrain from the choral group in white on the right side of the stage is, "But Islam is a religion of peace which has been hijacked by a minute minority." From the left side of the stage that refrain is countered boldly by the group wearing black both in words and deeds, "No, Islam has been hijacked by the liberals and the educated who have betrayed Allah and the prophet by consorting with the infidels and the blasphemers." In the middle is Pakistan and other benighted Muslim majority countries in throes of . . . what? Pain? Doubt? Surely Anger? Being bodily pulled apart. Which side will win? In the audience sit the apprehensive and unhappy 5.5 billion non-Muslims, some whispering and frantically headed to the exits, "Let me outta this nightmare!!"

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Ali

Mar 02, 2011 08:19pm

Instead of taking a reasoned and principled stand, our cowardly government simply capitulated to the terrorists on the issue of the blasphemy law. If we are going to elect such leaders then we deserve the future we face.

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Lover of Humanity

Mar 02, 2011 08:25pm

All men and women of good will can contribute towards hastening the end of religious fanaticism. They can do this, first, by living up to the high ideals of love, unity and tolerance that lie at the center of their own religions or beliefs. In addition, everyone must be taught to respect the beliefs of others so that they will not merely tolerate, but positively respect, those who hold different beliefs.
We cannot anymore remain silent spectators. The following words of one of the great writers of our time should awaken us to the severity of the problem we are dealing with.
"Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire,whose violence none can quench."

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Shafi

Mar 02, 2011 08:30pm

I asked a hardliner mullah this question
Question: If our Prophet (pbuh) was insulted face to face by a non believer what would his response br?
The mullah answered without hesitation that He (pbuh) would forgive him. I then said why fanatical muslims then kill in his name? Mullah shut up.

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Shafi

Mar 02, 2011 08:33pm

Because we are cowards!

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Mudassir Hasan

Mar 02, 2011 08:42pm

However terrifying this incident is , its not a surprising thing , but a norm .Pakistanis do not posess an iota of any credilibilty to raise issue of atrocites in Kashmir to Gujrat to palestine to iraq.. I say this with a severely traumatized heart!!

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Shefali

Mar 02, 2011 08:43pm

Good thinking! This is exactly what i was thinking earlier. Nadeem writes sane and rational articles. But they do not reach the audience that really needs them...the masses who are not well versed with English. Why don't you take up the challenge of translation. Try it.

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Mudassir Hasan

Mar 02, 2011 08:44pm

But do the savages care about somebodys sensetivity .? hmmm.. they KILL.

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Shafi

Mar 02, 2011 08:44pm

Bravo. You are a savior of Pakistan! Are Pakistanis liked anywhere in the world including the Muslim world? Go out in the world and find out. Nobody likes them and nobody wants them to be their neighbors. That is what people with your ideology have achieved.

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Muhammad Farooq

Mar 02, 2011 08:49pm

It is an insane act of brutality that should be condemned in strongest terms and killers should be hunted down to pay for their crime.

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Shafi

Mar 02, 2011 08:52pm

Malik, you are very right. Pakistanis abroad have never tried to be proud of being Pakistanis. Take for example the restaurant trade. All Pakistani restaurants advertise them as Indian restaurants with Indian cuisine etc etc.

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Adrian

Mar 02, 2011 09:01pm

And that justifies it. Ha Ha Ha

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vnarayan

Mar 02, 2011 09:08pm

I am heartened by the response to this very reasoned article. However, If the blasphemy law applies to Islam should it not apply to all religions?. As a Hindu I do not think my religious faith is superior or inferior to Islam. My role model is our ex president Abdul Kalam and everyone should read his autobiography to learn how to be a true human being.
I think that the feeling that one faith is superior to another is the root cause of this applaing tragedy being enacted in Pakistan

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Rizwan Nasar

Mar 02, 2011 09:09pm

What a shame these illiterate Mullahs who would throw a hadith whenever they speak to you... Did they not know that when Our Rasool, SalAllah o' Alahe Wasalam saw a funeral procession... He stood up in respect. One of his companions commented that it was a Jew's funeral procession. Our prophet replied is he not a human!
These mullahs should be cursed for inventing their own Islam and imposing it! IT IS SAD!

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Naeem Husain

Mar 02, 2011 09:15pm

Excellent article! It is an UN ISLAMIC ACT! If this kind of madness continue then GOD BLESS PAKISTAN. The least Government can do is to lower the national FLAG AT HALF MAST to show that the GOVERNMENT cares for its people.

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Vijay aditya

Mar 02, 2011 09:18pm

Somebody all ready said what would have been the scenario if those killers by Bhatti as Raymond did before they killed him. What would u be saying! Protesting on street.you hypocrite.

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Ajay Ahlawat

Mar 02, 2011 09:19pm

Shame on who ever did this act.
Islamic peace and live ideals should be preached rather than mullah defined hate
Patriotic Pakistanis be warned - This looks like the same days before Bangladesh was born.

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Vijay aditya

Mar 02, 2011 09:20pm

Sorry it crossed the roads on a path to noreturn

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Ajay Ahlawat

Mar 02, 2011 09:21pm

I feel proud to be standing shoulder to such an Indian who preaches the spirit of co existence and love rather than religious eccentricity.

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Salma Hasan

Mar 02, 2011 09:26pm

Mr. Bhatti's assasination is not only (and if) the minority-linked issue, more than that, it is the dramatic demonstration of what can be expected if 'freedom of expression' is practiced.

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shaista

Mar 02, 2011 09:26pm

it's true that killing innocent people is not good and not at all acceptable in our country but also is not acceptable in Islam. These people who claim them as muslims are not actually now just tell me what kind of muslim will leave a paper on ground or street having name of our beloved prophet(S.A.W). i don't think so these are done by some extremist muslim perhaps it's a part of politics or sum other big matter to start. THINK ABOUT IT.......................................................

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alo majumdar

Mar 02, 2011 09:33pm

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.
-Pastor Martin Niemoller (also a German U-boat commander in the WWI) on the inertia of German intellectuals in Hitler's Germany.
An excellent piece by Nadeem. It is really heartening to find that the overwhelming majority of responses to this article from Pakistanis was supportive and positive. For me, an Indian, it was a relief to find support (for the view expressed) from a few Indian voices that have commented on the article. I say this, as many a time I have across such venom and hatred being spewed by my fellow countrymen towards Pakistan on various internet fora (which of course is reciprocated too!).
As has been pointed out by several people already this article and its message is reaching a miniscule minority who in any case are completely opposed to this madness that seems to be taking Pakistan closer to destruction - a case of preaching to the converted. How does one take Nadeem's and all your voices to the those that really need to hear it?
Wish all of you and Pakistan the very best in this war against violence, intolerance and religious fanaticism.

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rafiq

Mar 02, 2011 09:34pm

And We Talk about Human Right violations in Kashmir.

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Sami

Mar 02, 2011 09:38pm

Nothing to feel proud off, we have to set our home in order before worried about other countries.

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Annie

Mar 02, 2011 09:38pm

I am so much saddened by this assasination. This is sickening. He was such a brave and honest man.
This is a great loss for Pakistan. But this is what angers me:
What is this organization: Tanzeem Al-Qaeda wa Tehreek-e-Taliban Punjab ???
Who created and named this organization ??? Raymond Davis?
Mrs Hillary Clinton said that she was shocked and outraged by the assassination.
Well... well... well... This is soooo clever. On one hand you send agents like Raymond Davis to help, fund and arm the terrorists organization like PTT, then you express outrage when they carry out the instructions. This is not funny, this is just good acting.
We will stay united... You cannot divide us by doing these criminal acts. All you have done is that you have killed a wonderful and a great Pakistani citizen.

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shah

Mar 02, 2011 09:39pm

There are internal disputes/issues within every country of the world.. These disputes may be regional, religious, cultural, ethnic.... so on.
But in the countries of wise (developed countries) all these issues\disputes are addressed and settled peacefully.
Unfortunately, this is not the case with us. Here the concept of elimination of the opponent prevails.
Its time to encourage new independent thinkers to come forward and suggest ways for resolving these issues.

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aly

Mar 02, 2011 09:40pm

NFP, you keep on writing and lamenting. some agree and some dis agree. but ultimately there is no change and doesnt appear in the near future. this society has become too cold to feel. a stage has come where the power of pen has lost its potency. for change to occur, something drastic is required.

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Ahmed

Mar 02, 2011 09:44pm

Nadeem, Great article. Although I am from India living in US, I have a lot of friends and neighbours from pakistan and I feel bad for them. Every time some one mentions these events they cringe. Hatred can only take you so far.
Indonesia, India, Pakistan, bangladesh has so many muslims not because a sword was used to convert them and impose such baseless laws, but because of the Piety and grace shown by our ancestors who came here from Arab countries.
Even Prophet Muhammed did not punish any one who critisized him during his lifetime, he listened to them patiently and helped them and made them change their minds about him with generous deeds, and his attitude and his mild nature.
These Mullas want to over do each other, looks like there is a competition to overdo one another. ITS TIME the secural, Liberal and Peace loving Pakistanis take to streets ala Egypt and get a revolution towards a free/fair/democratic/secular Pakistan.

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Rehman

Mar 02, 2011 10:03pm

The people with
- the most to offer,
- those who read English,
- those who read NFP's column
UNFORTUNATELY have jobs and are unable to spread the message
- to others that read Urdu or
- to take to the streets or
- to have firepower that will challenge the firepower of the jihadists
The government is too chicken to do anything (arguably with cause).
The army couldn't be bothered to address this.
Those who can leave Pakistan are doing so already.
I'd say this problem will be solved by guns or airline tickets. :-)

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Moby

Mar 02, 2011 10:05pm

In Indonesia on February 6th, a mob attacked a house belonging to a leader of the Ahmadiyah community. Three members of the minority sect were brutally killed. A video of the incident shows the police at the scene but not intervening to stop the violence.
Two days after the attack on the Ahmadiyah, another mob in Temanggung, Central Java, set fire to churches after a Christian man received a five-year prison sentence for insulting Islam. Police said eight people were arrested over the incident.

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Harish

Mar 02, 2011 10:14pm

I am so sorry to say that, i stop introducing as a Pakistani since Sept. 11, 2001

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irfan

Mar 02, 2011 10:18pm

"the Sindhis and the Baloch and the Pukhtuns"
By leaving out the Punjabis, seems like you are implying this is ethnic cleansing by Punjabis. I think this is not the time to sow disunity among the provinces.
I understand you are exercising your right to expression, but the implicit 'blame Punjab' message is bordering on irresponsible.

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Saleem

Mar 02, 2011 10:25pm

Any country that does not look after it's people, whatever religion,culture and ethnicity; does not belong in the civilised world. Our Pakistani politicians are only interested in power and making quick bucks. I live in the UK- permission is granted to build mosques and pray in public spaces. Pakistan needs to wake up and support the minorities, they are Pakistanis too.

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shiva

Mar 02, 2011 10:27pm

Tragic, shocking - and yet (as a frequent reader of Dawn) sadly not surprising. Hats off to NFP and some other brave Dawn columnists for still being able to espouse sanity clearly - Orwell's "1984" poses the question how does a tiny sane minority know if its own thoughts are not madness? Is sanity statistical? Especially since it appears that Pakistani public are extremely susceptible to whipped-up nationalistic frenzy (anti this, that and the other), wanting to break off all bridges to the outside, enabling extremism to completely prevail. (Paraphrasing Orwell: Terrorism is Peace Freedom is Slavery Extremism is Strength).

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SJ

Mar 02, 2011 10:36pm

There is a huge difference between corruption scandals and religious fanaticism. This is like comparing apples with oranges. Do you know what is it like to live in fear of getting killed? This is what Pakistanis are facing today.

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Dr yahya hassan

Mar 02, 2011 10:45pm

Every comment by the Govt is vain as long as the plasphemy law exists.

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baloo

Mar 02, 2011 10:46pm

Shameful nation.

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K

Mar 02, 2011 10:49pm

What Pak did to Afghanistan now she gets it, what goes around comes around!!

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Ramesh Punna

Mar 02, 2011 10:52pm

May be India's RAW did this to "destabilize" Pakistan. Pakistani people: please wake up before it is too late.

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Uza Syed

Mar 02, 2011 10:54pm

I want military to come in and clean this mess. These so called democratic forces neither have the will nor ability to come forward and face these enemies of the people of Pakistan and Pakistan itself. For me this is no argument that military regimes failed in the past or are responsible for such situation.
They might or might not be responsible for this or many other things. Howeve, when the so called democratically elected parliament and government and the rest of the political parties and their self-appointed leaders have so cowardly withdrawn themselves into their safe little holes, then military is the only organized force and better trained to deal with such demonic forces of bigots. I would rather be ruled by military then misruled by a gangs of so called democrats. No, thank you, democracy; leave us alone we are believers of tyrany in any form.

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Sheikh Abdul Rahman

Mar 02, 2011 10:56pm

No you don't make the laws. The Quran is the law and none can review them. Just because you pay taxes does not mean you can question God's will.

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Asghar Nadeem

Mar 02, 2011 10:56pm

I absolutely agree that the constitution of Pakistan be changed to a secular one and the word ISLAM should be removed as state religion. But who would do it? The current politicians are not only divided they sympathise with terrorists and mullahs and even have links with them. Shame on those who are condoning such acts and are supporting such cowardly acts. Where is the army, the government and liberal media - why don't you all get together and deal with this menace. I am so ashamed to be a Pakistani today and offer my condolences to the family of Mr. Bhatti. Let's all hope for an end to these terrorists and Islam's enemies.
Asghar Naeem

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Zafar

Mar 02, 2011 11:06pm

This is the quote of the day. Well said Imran. Most of us do not understand this point.

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Mansura Minhas

Mar 02, 2011 11:15pm

Another blatant blow by the hate mongers! Your concluding analysis

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Salman - India

Mar 02, 2011 11:19pm

Please stop watching your media channels and stop comparing Pakistan with ours. We Muslim Indians (more than the entire population of pakistan) are very happy where we are. We are part of the society and live without fear.

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crosscounty

Mar 02, 2011 11:21pm

Interesting you mentioned. A lot of pakistani's in sydney introduce themselves as Indians. coz they are ashamed of their country.

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crosscounty

Mar 02, 2011 11:40pm

lol...babri masjid is agreed. But u have no idea of the aftermath. Today no one in india have time to fight for religious causes. samjhota....it was wrong...but it is more of blemish than a regular occurance. Its more like a rare blast that happen on a weekly basis in the markets of pakistan! and BJP...what about it? Do you know that 2 BJP ruled states - Bihar and gujarat are today the fastest growing states in the country???? Their GDP growth rates are faster than you can imagine...Refer to vastnavi's statements.... I am not a BJP or a Congress suppporter. In india people dont vote for religion or caste anymore....atleast that is a declining trend. In the past 60 years votes were based on religion..i cant agree more...but that is on the wane......

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Adam

Mar 02, 2011 11:44pm

Liberals are a minority and shrinking.

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Rambo

Mar 02, 2011 11:45pm

You reap what you sow! That's just the way it is. Stop the obsession with India, dismantle nukes, divert money from that silly military of yours, fight internal enemies and try to get better as human beings. Better late than never. Wake up and smell the coffee, fellas.

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Adam

Mar 02, 2011 11:49pm

Maybe this would have been Mr Davies' fate had he not responded as he did. What happened to the security detail assigned, did they return fire?

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Guest

Mar 02, 2011 11:51pm

It is time that Pakistan had its own version of the jasmine revolution sweeping up in the middle east.
Pakistanis must rise and take their country back from the extremists before it is too late.
One fears that it is it too late already.

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mehmoona

Mar 02, 2011 11:52pm

a heinous crime has been committed once more,the ball is now in court of the law enforcing agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice..hopefully the judiciary will have taken suo motto notices of the lawyers honouring the murderer qadri ..or justice once again is in danger of becoming blind...it should not be simply used as a weapon in the hands of the opposition....it should realise its duty is to bring criminals to justice rather than honour them
it should serve impartial justice to all citizens whether muslim or not...failing to bring Bhattis murderers to justice will be spitting on the face of our country once more.
where does it say that to discuss blasphemy laws is blasphemy itself? is that what our Prophet (PBUH) taught us
why do laws passed during the rule of one dictator (with puppet parliment ) have to be changed while those passed during the rule of another dictator( with a puppet parliment ) cannot even be discussed
was Jinnah's Pakistan less of a muslim one than the dictator Zia's.

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Fahim Qureshi

Mar 02, 2011 11:55pm

When final history of Pakistan will be written two names will come up for destroying this country.Bhutto and Zia.Bhutto for destroying united Pakistan and Zia for what was left of it.The later for all this terrorism and all these black laws.

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Lakshmanan

Mar 02, 2011 11:56pm

Cut your defence spending by one third. Stop anti-India teaching in school books. Stop meddling in Afghanistan. Controlling Afghanistan is thought necessary by your defence establishment and they call it strtegic depth. Actually, Afghanistan has proved to be strategic death for Pakistan. What are you going to gain by having whole of Kashmir? On Indian side, the muslim women are at least able to remove their burqa and shout in front of media anti India and anti army slogans! Has any such similar attempt against Pak possible in POK? I do not think Pakistan can survive by advancing the cause of Islam.

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Adam

Mar 02, 2011 11:57pm

How much support did you (average Pakistani) give to Sherry Rahman or Taseer when they proposed amendments to reduce the abuse of the blasphamy law?
How do you expect politicians to stand up and be counted when the masses are not ready to stand behind them.

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A.Bajwa

Mar 03, 2011 12:27am

There is no point in shedding crocodile tears when Salman Taseer's assassin has not even been indicted and is openly hailed as a hero, and rally's are brought in his support without GOP taking action against such abettment to a murder what message are we sending to those who think it is their divine duty to kill.
The rightists and Media has so weakened this government through their daily bombardment that they don't have the courage to stand up in defense of their principles.
Everyone is so scared of Mullah and his power. I am sure they will pick up their enemies one by one. It is not an ideological fight. It is a power struggle. They think they have humbled Russian and Americans.

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Sunil Sinha

Mar 03, 2011 12:39am

The PM Gilani wows with every foreign dignitaries that Pakistan would fight extremism. But it seems its all words with no action. The government of Pakistan is so weak and vulnerable, that it cant defend at all. There is a saying when the disease within the body starts attacking, how can it prevent externally. Same is today Pakistan situation.

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Alam K.Wazir

Mar 03, 2011 12:48am

It started with ZAB who for expediency declared Ahmadis as non muslims. Zia took it to extreme by cementing blasphemy law, Musharraf for 9 years went along with it though talking about 'enlightened Islam'. As if declaring non muslims as 2nd class citizens was not enough, mullahs have resorted to violence against minorties. No wonder, world is labelling Pakistan as epicentre of terrorism.

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Farrukh Kiani

Mar 03, 2011 12:50am

may be re-orientating and re-founding this state can make it work, otherwise i am least optimistic of the any potential functionality of this current languishing, disoriented state called 'Pakistan'

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Wen

Mar 03, 2011 12:54am

If Islamic nations need to make progress then they must learn to respect the right of speech which was in the medieval times oppressed by Christian Europe as well. Now, one sees the Western countries have made tremendous progress; mainly because they have embraced the very basics of human rights: Right to practise and profess any religion, right to speech, press, assembly, etc... The leaders of the Islamic nations must rise and nip this fundamental hypocracy in the name of religion. Let us live and let live peacefully.

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Expat

Mar 03, 2011 01:00am

I went to wonderful college, established by a Christian denomination almost 100 years ago. It was in mid sixties, when I graduated. Some of my best teachers were Christians, I had close Christian friends. Religion was no body's concern. We were all Pakistanis & that was enough. Sadly, gone are those times.

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krishnan

Mar 03, 2011 01:00am

It is so sad.
Please spare Nadim's life .Translation will only target him.If people can be logical ,reading him in Urdu is not required.Likewise why do you want to snuff out Asma et all.If govt/army cannot prevent Taseer's killer and his supporters from openly displaying their fundamentalism, why poor activists like her should be sacrificed ?
Why is no one talking about the inertia of the real power - the army - why are they not expected to act - the civilian govt has been made impotent by them - so why blame them .
Kayani please do something

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Pradeep

Mar 03, 2011 01:12am

Ravi
Stick yo the point and don't come up with other points. The issue is blasphamy law and that is being talked about. Not what is happening in India or indeed rest of pakistani issues.

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salman

Mar 03, 2011 01:33am

i am really worried for pakistan that there will be a day when mullah's take over pakistan and one fine day the whole world would be wagging war against mullah's in pakistan and only after the war the mullah's would be wiped out of our country and that would be a new dawn for Pakistan

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Tanveer

Mar 03, 2011 01:33am

Just a little correction. Pakistan was not created as a Islamic Country, but as a home land for South Asian Muslims, and the events over the last 63 years have proved that it was the worst decesion that the muslims who supported pakistan could have taken.
There is a difference between them, but anyway how does it matter, you do not see and understand that.

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Tanveer

Mar 03, 2011 01:35am

Agree 100%. I think I am blessed I am not in Pakistan.

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Rehman

Mar 03, 2011 01:48am

And of course there's this point of view: http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Lahore/03-Mar-2011/Murder-a-plot-to-pressurise-Pakistan
Things change, and yet nothing changes...

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Maudood A. Bhatti

Mar 03, 2011 02:02am

I agree. This is NOT the Pakistan which was envisioned by Qaid-e-Azam. A country where a murderer is showered with rose petals is not a country where a law-abiding person can live in peace.

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Sami

Mar 03, 2011 02:20am

As a wise man said, and I believe it was the author of this article himself... I paraphrase: A faith so weak that we have to defend it with the blood of the innocent... I pray that all of those who carry out, support, defend or applaud the slaughter of the innocent... May you die the most painful death and your corpses lay rotting in the open sun...

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Sami

Mar 03, 2011 02:31am

Alan, read the blog, we are here standing up for Shahbaz, in our own way. It sure is a mess, but we are not all the same.

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belinda

Mar 03, 2011 02:34am

welcome to no god club. you will not regret it

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raza

Mar 03, 2011 02:35am

It will keep happening, until or unless, people of Pakistan stand up and punish the killers. I am very surprise where are the Islamic parties and what they are doing, why they stand up and stop those killer.

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belinda

Mar 03, 2011 02:42am

if you have guts then come out in streets to protest this murder

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malik

Mar 03, 2011 02:43am

These people have domonsrate that they dont understand any other language but Bullet. So let us deal with them with a bigger Bullet. Each time they kill an innocent man we should identify targets in tribal areas and eliminate them with missiles. This is the strategy we have to adopt. There is no other way out.

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Tahir Rizvi

Mar 03, 2011 02:43am

The mixing of state and religion started by former president/dictator Zia-ul-Haque has failed us and put Pakistan on this downward spiral. We have to reverse it. Pakistan should be a "secular" state as Quaid-e-Azam envisioned it to be. Our forefathers established a secular state of Pakistan for Indian subcontinent Muslims who have multiple sects plus many minorities living for centuries in the provinces which made Pakistan.

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Afraid!

Mar 03, 2011 02:44am

Uptill now I have been reading only Dawn but I read comments from Pakistanis on another Pakistani english daily 'The News International' and I realized why such deeds happens in Pakistan and nobody does anything. It seems majority of the Pakistanis (except Dawn readers) are ok with this! And what conspiracy theories they have come up!
NFP I pray for your safety!

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akkuturaju

Mar 03, 2011 02:49am

Previously Punjab governor was killed and majority of pakistanis gave a hereoic welcome to the wicked killer. No proper action has been taken against the culprit and that is why again this incident occured. The security guards looking silent while the killing took place (governor) have not been punished. Here one poor minister was killed. Beleive me in Saudi Arabia there are no such action against minorities. There are millions of christians are working in Saudi Arabia and all life have been protected. Saudi Govt. never ever allow to attack minorities by muslims and miniorities are being respected there. Anybody can check this. Why Pakistan this discrimination. Is Pakistan as a muslim country more than Saudi Arabia- the hub of islam.

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Mustafa

Mar 03, 2011 02:51am

Sania, does that justify it in Pakistan? If other Muslim countries are doing it, that doesn't mean Pakistan should be doing it too. Are they our teachers, is Iran our teacher, that we should blindly follow all their vices? Why don't we look at Muslim countries like Turkey instead, why don't we learn from them rather than from Iran? Surely we are mature enough to move away from the excuse that others are also doing it why shouldn't we?

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Mango Juice

Mar 03, 2011 02:53am

For once, I fully agree with NFP. Once they get rid of this upper layer of liberals, they will come down to each and every one of us, because according to them we are all 'BAD MUSLIMS'. The average Pakistani needs to wake up NOW, else there will only be catastrophe in the near future.

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Mustafa

Mar 03, 2011 02:55am

Gilani stated that there was not going to be any change in the blasphemy law, and there was going to be no debate on that matter (some democracy). Maybe he would like to go to the family of Bhatti sahib and say that, or to the family of Aasia Bibi and say this to them.

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bashir

Mar 03, 2011 03:01am

Mr. Daud
you are right , it is time for Pakistan to wake up, this is not Islam, of Holy Prophet SAW.
thanks

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Asim

Mar 03, 2011 03:13am

Shahbaz Bhatti, Salman Taseer, Benazir Bhutto, all died on Rehman Malik's watch. As long as incompetent, shameless, and corrupt, are in charge there will be no reprieve for any Pakistani.

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allahkaballah

Mar 03, 2011 03:21am

If there is Any Racist or Anti Muslim Activity in any other country.. We hence forth have no right to complain or stage agitations.

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Thass

Mar 03, 2011 03:23am

This is a disgrace to Islam and Muslims. It is high time the Govt and Religous leaders realise that they are dealing with killers not religous fanatics. This cancer has to be eradicated from Pakistan otherwise it will surely lead to the destruction of its social fabric and values.
These Thugs and Killers know no religon. Theirs is the law of the Gun not the Allmighty. Get their leaders and put an end to this carnage.

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Oz

Mar 03, 2011 03:26am

Actually closing them down won't do the job,we can build some proper school's with free education for everyone where they can be taught not only religious studies but everything they would need to learn to be a productive human being.

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allahkaballah

Mar 03, 2011 03:27am

Great ! Henceforth We have lost all Moral Rights to even Protest against any wrong doing to Muslim anywhere else in the world !

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allahkaballah

Mar 03, 2011 03:28am

You reap what u sow ! It was systematic radicalisation over past two decades and when the rot sets in.. it only worsens... This is just a trailer...

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Ali

Mar 03, 2011 03:31am

What strikes me with discomforting bluntness is that the "Islam" in who's name such atrocities against innocents occur is categorically rejected by the teachings of the Qur'an, and those of Muhammad. No verse of the Quran expounds Muslims to proactively kill innocents. The commonly misquoted "Kill the infidels" (9:5) verse is directed only to those who had persecuted and savagely beaten, tortured, and killed hundreds of Muslims on a daily basis for over a decade. Self defense is rational, and is much needed. Only then did Muhammad retaliate. Even after his return to the city of Mecca, he announced that all individuals who had persecuted there children, raped their wives, and killed their brothers were forgiven on that day. The inhabitants who had subjected these people to unforgivable extremities themselves were shocked. Yet contemporary self-proclaimed Islamic scholars have moved so away from original teachings, that they are unrecognizable from savages. These terrorists are about as much Muhammad's followers, as Terry Jones is Jesus' follower.

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shahid

Mar 04, 2011 10:16am

NFP is not a pakistani.
He appears to be an alien from some other planet.
Such people can be a danger for the existing system; because they can create somtehing new.

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nasser

Mar 03, 2011 03:42am

About 10 days ago DawnNews disrupted an evening program to break the news that Raymond had objected to the Fajr Azaan in the Jail as it according to the channel disturbed his sleep. Immediately thereafter text messages started doing the rounds that time for Jihad had arrived. No other channel had picked on the thread thrown by DawnNews. I now see crodcodile's tears splashed all across the paper and its channel.

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Saleem Choudhry

Mar 03, 2011 03:49am

May God grant peace that transcends all understanding to the family of the murdered Minister and the Pakistani Christian citizens.

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rehmat

Mar 03, 2011 03:51am

Nadeem is the one with venom? Not the people who shoot unarmed opponents, women in Moon market, people in mosques and Dargahs and playgrounds? Interesting thought process.

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rehmat

Mar 03, 2011 03:53am

One suggestion. Why don't you translate Nadeem's articles (I am sure he would willingly give you permission) in Urdu and submit them for publication in Urdu press?

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rehmat

Mar 03, 2011 03:55am

attempt to even registering most of them has failed - let alone reforming them.

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Saleem Choudhry

Mar 03, 2011 04:03am

You are comaring oranges with watemelons. Davis is neither a Pakistani citizens nor a victim of blasphemy law. Christians have been a part of the Pakistan fabric from the begining. Christians are the sons of soil. Do you know that there are minority Muslims living in 120 plus countries of the world. They are safer in those countries even as immigrants than are Christians under these unreasonable laws in their own country. Your kind of logic would create a strnage world in which no one will be safe. Is this what you want ?.

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Anjum Arshi

Mar 03, 2011 04:05am

How do you know that Mullahs teach and glorify hate killing in Madrassahs? Where is your evidence? On the contrary, there are two in-depth research studies of Madrassahs in Pakistan, both conducted by Western donor agencies, that tell us the opposite. All religious leaders have condemned the killing of Mr. Bhatti in the strongest words. BTW, Pakistani establishment is more secular and pro-West than the most liberal politicians. Remember Mush (the mini-Bush)? If they are doing this, they are doing this on the behest of their masters in the Western Hemisphere.

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Fred

Mar 03, 2011 04:05am

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.
Martin Niemoller - writing about the Nazi's

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Atta Mateen

Mar 03, 2011 04:15am

These lines from Martin Niemoeller fits today's Pakistan. When the moderate Pakistanis will unite.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me--
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

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Fazalul Rahman

Mar 03, 2011 04:24am

The prime minister of pakistan has taken a notice. Hehehe. Any laws can be changed if the people are willing to change them. The revolution is Pakistan is perculating. The terrorists were not able to hide in the middle east and the terrorists can not hide very long in Pakistan. The Gilani Sahib needs to take notice of these murders seriously.

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Sohail Ansari

Mar 10, 2011 04:00am

Dear Nadeem, Thanks for once again enlightining the educated or not so educated... You are the best!!!

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Brighton Rodeo

Mar 03, 2011 04:35am

Shame, Shame on the cowardic action of Pakistani soldiers of God who are displaying act of meaningless courage. They clearly donot believe in live and let the weaker live. Politicians are issuing meaningless
statements like Maulana Abdul Rehaman. Please pray for Pakistan,s safety and maulanas empowerment in the world. I admire the writer who has courage to shed the light on reality in Pakistan. Thanks gentleman.

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omar nasrulla

Mar 05, 2011 08:36pm

thank you for your wise words

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F

Mar 03, 2011 05:10am

And I expect us to shower the killers with rose petals and call them Mujahids and our lawyers to fight their cases for free. Ashamed of what's been happening in the name of religion in Pakistan. Are Pakistanis celebrating now, too? Are Mullahs celebrating now? I am sure they will be, having done great service to our (otherwise) very peaceful religion (Can I even claim this now?) by killing another innocent man. Oh Mullahs!

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Anjum Arshi

Mar 03, 2011 05:11am

Can you give the names of those countries, along with the numbers of minorities killed and on what dates?

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Ghalib

Mar 03, 2011 05:12am

Dear NFP, in this article you have shown a real Pakistani the Pakistani our Quaid wanted us to be you have gone beyond political affiliation, this article is truly from Pakistani who is crying in his heart at what his country has been turned into, Is there any hope for us ?

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Anjum Arshi

Mar 03, 2011 05:19am

Most of what you said is also true for India.

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Sam

Mar 03, 2011 05:41am

To the Author: What do you think is the reason of this madness that you are talking about?
I think this was destined to happen. When a country is born simply because of division (religion), the psychology of people would be this only. To focus on the differences within themselves. Add in the disregard for human life and we have a perfect recipe for killing on pretext of any division.
This is exactly what Islamic extremism is all about. I'm not saying that Hindus are saints. Of course they also have blood on their hands. But by and large there is tolerance. Because India maintained to be secular and didn't feel happy to be divided on religion.
Pakistan is at the cusp of going completely out of control. I wish the government of Pakistan had the guts to declare that they will now definitely definitely amend the blasphemy law because such madness will not be tolerated. That will send a strong message. But this may be asking too much from them.

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sharma

Mar 03, 2011 05:46am

I agree Mehmoona, we have problems. Babri Masjid should have never happened and Samjhota express is a shame . However lets not let the hardliners on either side get better of us. Lets keep India secular. Lets be moderates and support moderates. You would notice however that BJP has given up on Babri masjid because most Hindus dont see the point in being divided again. There is no victory in division, only defeat. Lets pray that we have more Ajmers than more Babris.

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Ali

Mar 03, 2011 05:52am

Shabaz bhati was a brave man.Bhati assasination is a shameful display of religious extremeism.How can we believe that that minorities are safe in Pakistan????
Moderate communities should join hands againt religious extremeism.Government should take steps to root out extremeism & should handle the ignorant extremist with force. This is the time to safe pakistan from the devil of religious extremeism.

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Sam

Mar 03, 2011 05:52am

Nadeem (the author), you are indeed a very brave man. You have indeed taken a big risk by writing such a bold article. May Allah save you but better get out of Pakistan.

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Karim Alam

Mar 03, 2011 06:00am

Highly Condemnable act and bold expression of views!
Just to add, Can we make the President or Prime minister responsible for the brutal murder the way Musharaf is being held responsible for not providing adequate security?

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Nate Gupta

Mar 03, 2011 06:08am

Mr. Khalid Saeed,
Talking against a man-made law (as Nadeemji pointed out) is not blasphemy, is it? What happened to freedom of speech? Mr. Bhatti was just raising an issue that many think brings injustice to certain people.
If getting shot is what you get for talking about something, who will be willing to speak up when unjust is done?
Sincerely
- Nate Gupta

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Shahan

Mar 03, 2011 06:30am

I think we need to close down all local Mudrassa's where kids only learn how to memorize the Quran, and spend more on local public schools so the kids can study various courses including Islam and Quran (not just memorize). If the government cannot implement this, then why can't we citizens unite and help build local schools, why can't we raise funds for such an important cause??? I think we should consider doing things on our own until the next elections, and even after that, if the next leadership is as incompetent as the current.

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sharma

Mar 03, 2011 06:32am

from india's point of view, the day the nuclear weapons land in the hands of some " Mumtaz Qadri" are not very far. India should prepare itself for the imminent.

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Bob

Mar 03, 2011 06:36am

Why there are so many mails that tries to identify mistake with President, Prime minister, federal ministers, mullas etc. One should first look at what we do for our country rather than what others are not doing! Till millions of Pakistanis does not come out on street and fight against the wrong, wrong will not go away. It will come back again and again in larger form!

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srispiky

Mar 03, 2011 07:16am

where is ur media hero zaid hamid . once he said minorities in pakistan are enjoying full librty than other muslim countries...
i wish ppl like nadeem pracha and najan setti should channel the energy of youth,which is getting wasted, and try to build jinnah's pakistan......
may god rests his soul in peace

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Dr. Bakshi

Mar 03, 2011 07:47am

I have come four times to Pakistan inspite of many of mycountrymen wanting me not to do so because I believed that the common Pakistani was innately good and liberal and I also beleived that they were people of honour. I do not wish to visit again (not that I will be missed.. I know I am too unimportant), but I feel betrayed for reposing my faith in the goodness of Pakistan. Thank you for all the hospitality I recieved. May god take care of your nation.

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Hasan

Mar 03, 2011 07:51am

Pakistans Liberal are also in minority . So no hope for now.

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Ratnam

Mar 03, 2011 07:58am

Written with feeling and passion by Mr. Paracha. And it is moving in his concern for the future of Pakistan. But his is a voice in the wilderness. I hope that others will join it.
I am not a Pakistani although my feelings for Pakistan run deep. I am that "other" from across the border, who watches the unfolding events in Pakistan with great sadness. Over the years the state of society in Pakistan has grown worse. Things are badly broken, and even the most optimistic amongst us fear the worst. But there is always hope where there is a Mr. Paracha. In time, I hope that these sad events will give way to a resolute desire to restore Pakistan to its founding spirit, and bring peace to its people.
So much more can be said, but of what worth is it? It is up to the people of Pakistan to stand up and fight. Otherwise all will be lost. Lead the good fight Mr. Paracha. You will be surprised at how many are with you.

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ramachandran

Mar 03, 2011 08:02am

What we need is a good human being, this cannot be ensured by reading religious text or having tilak,beard,kirpan,cross etc. As long as we are pawns in the politico-religious leaders, they will exploit and live peacefully for generations. They will stash money in Swiss Banks, educate their children in West and fool us. Ordinary poor man will get poorer and create a much poorer generation. As long as all of us in the world understand the exploitation by the ruling class, we will be exploited for ever. The situation in South Asia is particularly poor and in Pakistan and Afghanistan it is acute. Try to live with our own thinking. It is highly unlikely the Prophet might have ever even thought of killing people who does not believe in him.

I am ashamed to be Pakistani youth and and I say this with tears in my eyes and seething rage in my heart .With what face can a Pakistani deal with outside world .
When rest of world is sprinting ahead at furious pace , these barbaric acts are what defines us .
I wish I was never educated but an illiterate madrassa going guy. The more I am aware of my surroundings the more it depresses me no end .Indeed Ignorance would have been a heavenly bliss for me .

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Ratnam

Mar 03, 2011 08:25am

Raymond Davis? What have his actions to do with the killing of a federal minister by his own people? Or do you suppose that as long as people like Davis are not dealt with, then anyone perceived as an enemy of Islam must be dealt with instead? Is this a making up for impotency?
Every time someone writes an irrational letter like this, those of us who root for Pakistan and want the best for it, are turned off. And not all of us from Pakistan.
Wake up and listen to what Mr. Paracha is saying. And if he is saying the same thing over and over, then I give him credit for consistency and constancy. I can hardly say this about your federal government which does nothing except appease the Americans.

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Muhammad Saleem Khan Allai

Mar 03, 2011 08:27am

Baber Awan is very right in raising the question that someone will have to accept the responsibility for the negligence in providence of proper security to the minority minister. Why the honourable Minister for minorities was not accompanied by security guards though he received threat after the assassination of Salman Taseer. Why he was not provided bullet proof car when his life was on threat? The nation is asking the question as to why are we hostage into the hands of a group who are adament in the perpetuation of extremism by imposing self style Islam. We condemn the assassination in its truest form and the assassin were niether muslim nor human being they were just hired puppet paid to defame our mother land.

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klAntony

Mar 03, 2011 08:28am

I am not from Pakistan but I am ashamed to say this" All muslims are not terrorist but all terrorist are muslims" May God have mercy on your contry !!!

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Ratnam

Mar 03, 2011 08:34am

I understand your point. But the very point of being a liberal is that we should not be extremists. Liberalism cannot and should not be championed as a cause in itself. Then it becomes extremism.

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Ratnam

Mar 03, 2011 08:40am

By ZH we presume you mean Zaid Hamid? Well, ZH lives in an unreal paradise. The paradise of delusion and paranoia, not to mention hatred. Mr. Paracha seems quite lucid to me. He seems to be rooted in reality and humanity. Or is this not to your liking? Would you prefer the reality of ZH?

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bpshah

Mar 03, 2011 09:03am

well said.

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Shafi

Mar 03, 2011 09:08am

There are no charismatic and credible leaders in Pakistan to stoke a revolution.

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Ratnam

Mar 03, 2011 09:09am

There is no magic bullet. Do you suggest that silence is better? I don't think Mr. Paracha laments, as you put it. I think he fights. Let me quote Ralph Chaplin, an American, whose poem became the anthem song of the trade union movement:
Mourn not the dead that in the cool earth lie
Dust unto dust
The calm, sweet earth that mothers all who die
As all men must;
Mourn not your captive comrades who must dwell
Too strong to strive
Within each steel-bound coffin of a cell,
Buried alive;
But rather mourn the apathetic throng
The cowed and the meek
Who see the world's great anguish and its wrong
And dare not speak!

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Shafi

Mar 03, 2011 09:13am

Instead of leaving Islam, fight for the true peaceful Islam otherwise the fanatics are going to win.

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Ratnam

Mar 03, 2011 09:46am

I hear your words and feel for you. You are a Pakistani, and in this you must take pride. And further, take pride in being a citizen of the world. Pakistan is big enough and rich enough to overcome these problems. It is better to have hope and faith, and to understand all the terrible things that are taking place. Once they are recognized and understood, by all the people of Pakistan, then they will never recur. Be resolute, and like Mr. Paracha, never give up. Perhaps the changes you desire will not take place in your time (unless you are very young), but they will certainly take place in the times to come. And that is not a bad thing. In these columns we fight not just for today, we fight for tomorrow as well. No Pakistani should ever feel the way you do. This is why you must fight.

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Tanu

Mar 03, 2011 09:47am

I m not pakistani but i want to say that first time somebody want to show the real picture about pakistan to pakistani people and i think he has taken his own life in risk.Be Safe Mr. Nadeem F. Paracha becuase your type of person( Real Pakistani) has been assassinated by extremist. You have shown your pain for current situation in pakistan and expectation for which pakistan created. If people of pakistan can not think, then they should read this , think about the situation and force weak govt. to take action.

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sharma

Mar 03, 2011 09:56am

Also,please get your DNA analysed. There are not many muslims in India or Pakistan who had ancestors in Arabia though they would like to believe that to make them different from the natives. Also there is a clear cut division between the Arab and non Arab muslims.

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krishnan

Mar 03, 2011 10:13am

I agree with Ratnam .Do not lose hope.If Nadim can talk /write, you too can.Perhaps Pakistan needs a jasmine revolution but there are millions of illiterate thorns which have to be attended to first - with education .The government/army should do something about the Mullahs who misguide them- the Kamal Ataturk way.

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Alamzeb

Mar 03, 2011 10:25am

A true democratic government would resign for failing to maintain law & order. Not,Pakistan where holding on to the power is the paramount goal. Murder of Mr. Bhatti will be in the dust bin just like the murder of BB.

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Nishant Visen

Mar 03, 2011 10:42am

I have always been your fan NFP... Your columns are one of the reasons I make it a point to read a Pakistani newspaper from across the border... Take care of yourself... With fanatics like these holding sway over Pakistan, I really don't think an enemy like India, Israel or USA is actually required... If Pakistanis don't act today, it's future seems very bleak to say the least... I really feel pity for those few secular, liberal and patriotic Pakistanis... Make your voice heard, otherwise you might not get another chance... All the best...

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aly

Mar 03, 2011 10:42am

ratnam, changes start with pen, but they culminate with action. its not only the pen that deals with adversity. just study european history as to how they transformed from dark ages to industrial revolution.in the context of situation in Pakistan, it is apparent that the battle is being lost. the dark forces are getting stronger day by day. i don't endorse silence but i do question the rhetoric of confining to just writing. situation now definitely warrants greater measures just like we see in middle east.

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Nandakishore Banerjee

Mar 03, 2011 11:05am

You need not be ashamed to be a Pakistani as long as your country has courageous people like NFP and Sherry Rehman (May god protect them!)

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Sam

Mar 03, 2011 11:05am

Golden words. The only thing that can save Pakistan is if all Pakistanis realize this truth.

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Sam

Mar 03, 2011 11:18am

Congratulations Ammaar! I think it will not be long before you realize that this was the best decision of your life. Welcome to real life, a life of freedom, equality, respect and peace.

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Sam

Mar 03, 2011 11:19am

It's military is responsible for its state in the first place.

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Bored_Fan

Mar 04, 2011 03:52pm

Another boring article with similar tone and words.....Wake up NFP, you always point your rifle only in one direction but there could be another enemy in the other direction as well.

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ramfromIndia

Mar 03, 2011 12:33pm

Take heart Junaid.This too shall pass.Need not be ashamed of one's nationality.Pakistan will only emerge strong as most countries have after reaching the pit.I hope the average pakistani is "politically aware" and is not swayed by political and religious jingoism.

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Syed Ali Raza Shah

Mar 03, 2011 12:34pm

You know what, if I were in Pakistan at this moment I would surely come out on the streets and stage protest. I don't want to do it in Germany (where I currently reside) as a lone guy trying to put the impression that I need public attention.

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Sid

Mar 03, 2011 12:47pm

Good for you Ammaar! Enough of these Bronze Age fairy tales..! I feel the same way..

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Muhammad Ashraf

Mar 03, 2011 12:56pm

Pakistan belongs to Islam

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Vince

Mar 03, 2011 01:27pm

People keep saying that he should of had more protection. The root cause is you are not addressing the problem. Your government must arrest AND prosecute the peoplel that are encouraging these assassinations. Zardari wants to be president, but he's a coward. Look at his statements on blasphemy, Bhatti and Taseer. Pakistan is a ship with no captain.

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Tahir Rizvi

Mar 05, 2011 05:08pm

Pakistan was NOT created in the name of Islam and we should clearly understand it and accept it. Please read our history of the independence movement. Quid-e-Azam

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RIZWAN

Mar 03, 2011 02:02pm

Hi Nadeem, Your article has touched my heart. Your article presents many thoughtful and sincere Pakistanis who do not want any further destruction done to their beloved country. Keep up the good work and watch your self. God bless you. Rizwan

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Mayet

Mar 03, 2011 02:35pm

It is slaughter of the Pakistani intellectuals ... by the barbarians

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Rashid Khan

Mar 03, 2011 02:39pm

Bhatti's murder exposes the accelerating decay in our society. It makes no difference to the policy makers because their first reaction was to exhibit acts of momemtary grief and hollow chest thumping. Bhatti will be mourned for a few days and his then his memory will be relegated to the back burner. Those who can make any difference in redressing this evil prefer to avoid confronting the mischief. On the contrary their first pr

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Rashid Khan

Mar 03, 2011 02:58pm

Shahbaz Bhatti was an unfortunate victim of a henious act. He will be mourned for a few days, his outspokeness and his courage to speak his mind luaded, and then like all things in the 'holy land' he will forgotten and past into history. There will be no definite change in the mindset of the people at the helm of affairs.
How many thoughtless deaths will be needed to get the religious scholars, save a few, to unanymously declare all murderous acts committed guise of religious fervour crimes against Islam and humanity. This will never happen and Pakistan will continue to suffer.
The leaders of the major political parties are chasing small time gains primarily focussed on otheir interests abroad.
It we want a change in the country I suggest that every political leader and parlimentarian:
surrender his / her dual nationality. Failure to do so should be a capital offence at par with treason:
declare all assets in their own and in the name of their family members, including assets in Pakistan and abroad;
tax returns;
finally, no one should be allowed to proceed abroad for five years after relinquishing office or when their party looses power.
I don't see things not changing for the better if these few steps are introduced - i

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Sadia Rehman

Mar 03, 2011 02:59pm

Bhatti joined Pakistan People

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aayush

Mar 03, 2011 03:03pm

i m an indian but i m really concerned about the security of the seculars and the liberals in pakistan as only these people have the courage to pacify the relations between our countries. history itself is witness war has never given a solution its the love that ultimately unite people.. i hope one day we all can live together happy .....

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Musthaq Ahmed

Mar 03, 2011 03:20pm

Dear Paracha!
I warn you from outside Pakistan. Leave that country. Live elsewhere and write. You can come over to India. We dont care about religion , though we care only for money.

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A.MALIK

Mar 03, 2011 03:29pm

keep your heads up, don, t get discourged by this insanity. things always gets worst before they get better, sanity will eventually prevail. our prayer are with those who lost their love ones in noble cause.

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Wise Jas

Mar 03, 2011 04:05pm

Teach ignorace. Reap ignorace.

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rofl

Mar 03, 2011 04:50pm

I second that

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iqbal

Mar 03, 2011 04:56pm

Today, the biggest threat to Pakistan is not from the economic depression or political up heavls but from the hardliner and fundamentalist mentality. The assasination of Mr, Bhatti is an effort to destablise Pakistan and imposing the hardliner brand over liberal class.

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A pakistani,UK

Mar 03, 2011 05:15pm

These target killings clearly indicate the destructive path on which Pakistan is heading. Now there is a clear division among the Pakistani, one is condemning it while others are quiet. These forces need to find a common point of interest to resolve the issues, otherwise future seems very bleak.
God bless Pakistan.
Pakistan zindabad.

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Citizen

Mar 03, 2011 05:27pm

A religion is as good as its followers

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Pankaj

Mar 03, 2011 06:00pm

I am from India and as you might be guessing,I have no ill feeling against Pakistan.I always wonder why these people killing innocent people.I have many Muslims friends across they Globe.I often ask them that ...does Islam allows killing here's the reply I just got --" No,Islam teaches to respect and protect other religions as well".Those who kill people cannot be Muslim"

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Marya Syed

Mar 03, 2011 06:10pm

I have a question for everyone, to answer not to me but to there self and specially those mulana's how issue fatwa. Did Muhammad Peace be upon him reacted in the same manner when the old lady through garbage on him or kids through stone at him or anyone try to misbehave with him in any manner? If there is no sunhat to kill any one then why this is happening? Respect is given by Allah S. T. and if we believe in Allah, Allah will protect Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H and Holy Quran. We should pay more attention to our deeds which we are accountable for not others deeds which we are not accountable for. Allah give us direction to follow the right path Ameen

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tdub

Mar 03, 2011 06:11pm

Once again, xenophbobic, religious theocracy is the source of fascist violence and the longer that Pakistan tolerates it, the further this great country and its people will sink into chaos and irrelevance to the rest of the world.

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Martin

Mar 03, 2011 06:15pm

The country has lost its sheen. The educated, intellect population chose to be silent. The gunners from the tribal areas with their own code of Islam gun down innocent from other religion and from their own religion too. Allah is Lord of Peace, Love and Mercy. He is not eager in shedding blood and tearing fleshes with bullets. I hope the educated Pakistan stands up with support of the security / governing agencies and stop this evil. I know its difficult for the educated to organise a rally. All the evil need is a teenager stuffed with IED to trigger in middle of the rally. Allah would not tolerate this evil happening in his name. Expect / Pray for a turnaround in Pakistan's present status, eliminating the cancer spread over the tolerant Pakistan social fabric. Prayer and Wishes from a peace loving brother in India.

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R S JOHAR

Mar 03, 2011 06:19pm

This article by NFP is the most thought provoking and an excellent commentary on state of affairs in Pakistan. The situation in Pakistan is getting bad to worse each passing day and only God knows where it will end up. The turmoil in Libya, unrest in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain is also causing much concern to all countries in the whole region. The govt in Pakistan is almost paralysed under constant fear of religious extremists and failing economy whereas dominating military too is not helping to ease the situation by taking decisive action against TTP and Panjabi outfits who are striking at will and even taken responsibility for this ghastly murder. Unless both civil govt and military sit together and chalk out a joint strategy to deal with this extraordinary situation, the collapse of the country is inevitable.

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Akram Elahi

Mar 03, 2011 06:23pm

Pakistan is in the grip of uncooked and raw evil. I saw this in the faces of mullahs and in the voices of their sermons in multiple mosques I have visited. Some worshipers love it and others are disgusted by this evil. Non admits the problem or is willing to do anything about it. Pakistan was a progressive and educated country but it has gone down the hill very quickly due to the mullah take over of the minds of Pakistanis. It is an irony that Pakistan has become a laughing stock to the nations of the world. It is a shame that the terrorism is being nourished in Pakistani mosques and religious gatherigs openly. A Mosque is to be the place where God is worshiped but our mosques hardly resemble that atmosphere. The ones exploiting Pakistan's peace are small in numbers but very active. It is a small portion of the society but it is extremely backward and has the potential to bring down the country. This is what is going to happen if we do not take heed. If we can not clean it up ourselves, the world will do it for us. Some coalition somewhere in the world will emerge to protect Pakistan's innocent citizens who are being targeted by the religious groups and ignored by the government. We live in a world. Pakistan is one of hundreds of of countries in the world. The recent world history has shown that the world governments do not sit quietly to see a few wicked people persecute their own citizens.

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Smruti

Mar 03, 2011 06:24pm

USA must make sanctions against against Pakistan till it does not Protect minorities.If US stops sending money,Pakistan government will not have money to eat .Minorities are also human beings and have right to live.

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Farooq

Mar 03, 2011 06:33pm

Act of one person or group of few people don't necessarily reflect mindset of Pakistani nation in general. It is our government along with some foreign governments who promoted so called Jihad and Jihadies in this country. To defeat Russians Foreign forces required volunteers to initiate gorilla war. They could not have succeeded in assembling the warriors so easily if they had not exploited relegion. Governments spent billlions of dollars for this cause and delebrated attempted to keep masses illeterate. I believe present situation of Pakistan is a direct consequence of Afghan war. We must realize that on going extremism has lot to do with International politics and geopolitical position of Pakistan.
Anyway, we can eradicate false religious beliefs and extremism as well by bringing radical reforms in education system and also by offering employment opportunities to youth who shall not fall in the hands of religious exploiters.

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Shakib

Mar 04, 2011 03:36pm

Rightly Said.

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MastMaula

Mar 03, 2011 06:44pm

"A race towards Darkness at a Lightning speed". Religion has blinded these pseudo believers of this country.
Brains are abandoned and Civilization is forgotten. People here, are getting nostalgic about their pre-human past and striving hard to regain their animal instincts. Bearded Mullas and the religious clerics are the catalysts which together can even neutralise the effect of education.

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Shahsia

Mar 03, 2011 07:02pm

Well said...

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Babar Khan

Mar 03, 2011 07:50pm

Perhaps Pakistanis can take a lesson from the Egyptions.......against the fanatics. Organize a march against fanaticsm in the streets....all pakistan. The fanatics brought out 50000 people on the Streets of Karachi after Salman Taseer's murder. Let 10 million people come out in Karachi and show that you want a tolerant and kind Pakistan. Drown out the voices of the fanatics. If its really true that the ordinary pakistani is peaceful and tolerant, this should not be hard to do. Just takes some courage.

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Kamal Memon

Mar 03, 2011 08:47pm

good one agian !

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gireesh,kerala,India

Mar 05, 2011 09:11am

Dear Nadeem,
Article is very good .Being an indian my perception was that there is nobody to talk for pak minorities, but people like you r there .
In india voice for minorities is very laud.And i think minorities in India are in a better condition than that of pakistan.Because they never feel lack of security as the minorities feel in pakistan however some incidents like gujarath riots are there.
And we indians are very confident that we can transform our nation into a developed one and we have dedicated leaders like former president APJ to motivate the people.
Unfortunately if my perception is right that much confidence is not there in pakistan.
keep writing articles like this.But articles which can boost the confidence of the people are also needed.
Regards.

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asim

Mar 09, 2011 09:48pm

We are not a failed state. The extremists are trying to hijack the state with a very sly strategy. They are working from the ground roots up and I think now is the time for everyone to stand up against them because before long they shall be too strong for us to do anything about it but run to another country for refuge. I do not want to leave my country hence I implore all of you out there to do what little you can; we can stop these terrorists!

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Jeffrey K.

Mar 03, 2011 09:43pm

As long as Islam continues to be a political ideology with countries being run on this basis, these things are bound to happen.
When will Islamic countries learn to separate religion from political constitution? After killing another million Muslims and non-Muslims..?

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bk

Mar 04, 2011 07:25am

only massive protests like egypt will find a solution.pakistani youth should not stay calm.such people are more threatning than terrorists

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good2rely

Mar 03, 2011 09:44pm

Dont worry....Doomed is end of punishment.....more & more may be coming, when we laugh at Gods commands by harshness instead of kindness & forgiving
Long rope is not as close.....!!!

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Expat

Mar 03, 2011 10:20pm

Why don't mullahs who believe that Islam is a peace loving religion,come out in the streets to protest against & condemn the assassination of a Christian leader ? How many immam masjid would mention Shahbaz Bhatti's name in Friday's sermon.? You bet none.

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Muslim

Mar 03, 2011 10:28pm

5 times prayers, fasting in holy month of Ramazan is not going to bring you closer to Almighty unless you believe in the sanctity of life.

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Binu Abraham

Mar 05, 2011 06:45am

Dear Pakistanis,
Dont get upset by sympathy we Indians are showing now.. Its your bad time...
Hope things will get better by your efforts. .
We Indian had bad times and will have bad times... You can show sympathy at that time, not happiness...
After all we are brothers right, even many of us are not open to think like that...
As our Prime minister said, a stable, but not very aggressive Pakistan is what we India wants...

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shizel

Mar 05, 2011 05:44am

What we see today has already been experienced by Christianity in the dark ages.......persecution, killing, settling personal scores, being branded witches and burned........all in the name of religion!!!! History only teaches those who are willing to learn from it!!!!! Need i say more!!

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shaukat

Mar 03, 2011 11:41pm

Well said!!!!

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shaukat

Mar 03, 2011 11:47pm

Very well written article. make sure you wear bullet proof jacket all the time. I fear that one day Pakistan may become Somalia or even worst.
Where is the public outcry?

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Alan

Mar 04, 2011 12:31am

In the west, a massive debate and search for truth has been sparked by the continous flow of Islamist violence since 9/11 like the web site thereligionofpeace. People are concerned about the turn towards fascism that this article alludes to. The people in Pakistan will be the foremost victims of the extremists as they try to harm every one and any one.

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shah

Mar 04, 2011 01:14am

I being only a observer from a distance has observed that:
Yes there are people with zero tolerance and believe in the elimination of there opponents.
But dear NFP, I also see you not much different then the other group. Do you think its wise to call someone fanatic, madmen, monsters ................. so on and then to expect from him to respect your views..
Don't you think this tone of language will infuriate the other group more.
Logical approach is to address the issues, discuss them, present your point of view in most logical and respectable way, struggle for tolerance, present your point of view in a way that other party understand.
Otherwise eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.

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Muhammed

Mar 04, 2011 01:23am

Well put Sultan... thanks!

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Muhammed Ali

Mar 05, 2011 04:38am

The death of the Christian minister is not only a loss of the Pakistani Christians, it is Pakistan's profound loss. I am so grateful he chose to serve his country and initiated interfaith harmony dialogue. The minister was indeed a brave man who stood by the principles that Pakistan is all about.

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rehmat

Mar 05, 2011 04:30am

Really? Is it common for ministers of minority to get killed in India? I did not know that. Can you name one?

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rehmat

Mar 05, 2011 04:27am

For this formula to work, the few brave men and women need the support of the masses. But is anyone supporting Sherry Rehman? Did anyone support Bhati? Salman Tasseer? No.

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Ven

Mar 04, 2011 02:41am

The psyche of pakistani people is so much different from the rest of the world. Please don't get mad at me for saying this but this is the truth. You believe in absurd conspiracy theroies, you think you are the greatest islamic nation, you believe that whole world (esp hindus, jews & christians) are out there to get you, you get false pride in stupid nuclear weapons.......
I think Pakistan is the most dangerous and scary place on earth right now. You guys are going down the pit so fast that one day there will be no sane person left in that country....

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shahdawn

Mar 04, 2011 02:52am

Madhu:
Ur language do not speak of an educated guy...
Earthquakes & Floods are natural calamities & it noting to do with what u r pointing to.
Pakistan is the beacon for Muslims all around the world, we do respect minorities but this man (Bhatti) had gone too much I assume....

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Swaraj

Mar 04, 2011 04:00am

What shocks the world is the stunning silence of almost all Pakistanis to these brutal barbaric murders of Taseer and Shabaz. More than the murders this is the talk all over the world. Real shame on Pakistanis. By not standing up they have proved that they are a fanatical lot and far removed from the civilised world.

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flt.Lt. Resham Singh Gill

Mar 04, 2011 04:02am

Wow Nadeem,
This article just blew me away. I was humbled by your depth and intellect. Dude I genuinely fear for your safety in Pakistan. You truly are the last of the Mohicans. Buddy, come to India while you can and where you can stand for prime Minister and win anytime. Thats how much we Indians respect you.

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Swaraj

Mar 04, 2011 04:07am

Just google Nadeem F Paracha Raymond Davis...big deal!

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Peace

Mar 04, 2011 04:18am

Try to find the truth..ask questions to people.. try to make more people educated..only way to bring Pakistan up to get that free from Religion ASAP.

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Manish Sanghvi

Mar 04, 2011 04:24am

Silence of Pakistan against such killing is giving indirect control of the beautiful country in the hand of extremist and talibans...

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Ahmedi

Mar 05, 2011 03:49am

A country on it's path of destruction, only if world powers stop bailing it out for once ...

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Bijish

Mar 04, 2011 06:54am

Dear Great NFP,
Please take care of yourself. Pakistan desperately needs person like you... we Indians are praying sincerely for you to be safe and secure from these fanatics. Myself also have a minority tag in India but sincerely and happy to say that we enjoy a super luxurious freedom and life in India compared to other countries. We considered you as one of the great Journalist contemporary media world has ever produced and we value your life very much. Take care Dear NFP. If you have time please visit India again. Thanks

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Dev Saha

Mar 04, 2011 01:03pm

Pakistan has lost another courageous man. It was expected but we would love to see both Bhatti and Tasseer to have been alive and fought for another day. But that not to be. Only God knows where this will end. Stay safe my friend!

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LetUsBeObjective

Mar 06, 2011 10:52pm

Reading dawn is one of my favorite past time over the weekend, and gives me some level of connection to the country where I was born. I understand Pakistan is in pathetic state, but the reason is lack of morals, not Islam. Even the religious figure heads have double standards, and that is they never win an election. We should learn to respond, not react with hate or emotions to anything we don't agree with. Respect everyone's views, even if we don't agree with.

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rehmat

Mar 11, 2011 12:49am

Not true. Please see again.

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rehmat

Mar 11, 2011 12:50am

I am a Shia living in India. No-one bombs Moharram processions.

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SB

Mar 20, 2011 11:07pm

Bhatti and Taseer are not and will not be forgotten

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SB

Mar 15, 2011 03:41am

Going fascist! so true. keep writing

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Vishnu

Mar 16, 2011 01:29am

The stony silence f politicians from all politicians is dangerous. Mian Bhai Nawaj does not want to offend his partners from religous parties. He could be least bothered by few murders. But PPP which has always claimed to be champion of all sectiions of Pakistani society. So when no body from PPP is able to stand up and take a stand for the people mudered, PPP stands exposed.
What about Army ? Do we not expect Kayani to take a principled stand and serve notice on Jehadis? Right after partition, Army redeined national interest as Anti India policy. Pakistani Military thereafter reaped rich dividend as it ruled for decades and then it's final gift to the nation was Jehadism which it nurtured.
So we know what to expect from politicians and what to expect from Army.
Judiciary is the only hope.